No. 11 Paula Badosa delivered a stunning performance to eliminate No. 3 Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Tuesday, 7-5, 6-4, halting the American’s 13-match winning streak in dramatic fashion. Under the bright afternoon sun in Rod Laver Arena, Badosa capitalized on Gauff’s misfiring forehand and shaky serve to secure her maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the age of 27.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, came into the match riding high on momentum, having gone undefeated in 2025 with a 9-0 record. However, the retooled forehand and serve that had been instrumental in her recent success abandoned her at the worst possible moment. The 19-year-old racked up 41 unforced errors, including six double-faults, and was unable to generate a single break point until she was already trailing by a set and a break.
The defining moment of the match came early in the second set during a grueling 22-point game that stretched over more than a dozen minutes. Despite Gauff’s efforts to stay in the contest, Badosa converted her fifth break opportunity after Gauff missed two consecutive forehands, part of the seven forehand errors she committed in that game alone. It was a microcosm of the American’s struggles on the day, as Badosa relentlessly kept the pressure on, creating 10 break points and converting four of them.
By contrast, Badosa’s game was solid and composed, a testament to her perseverance and mental fortitude. Less than a year ago, the Spaniard was on the verge of retirement due to a stress fracture in her back that sidelined her for months and resisted initial treatment. But under the guidance of coach Pol Toledo and after months of painstaking recovery, Badosa has rediscovered her best form. On match point, she sealed the victory with a forehand winner, dropping to her knees in disbelief before bowing her head in gratitude.
“It’s been such a long journey,” Badosa said afterward. “There were moments last year when I didn’t think I’d be able to play at this level again. But I kept believing, kept working, and today, it all came together.”
Her reward is a semifinal showdown with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending Australian Open champion. Sabalenka extended her own winning streak at Melbourne Park to 19 matches with a hard-fought 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory over No. 27 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The Belarusian is aiming to become the first woman to win three consecutive Australian Open titles since Martina Hingis achieved the feat from 1997 to 1999.
For Gauff, the loss was a harsh reminder of how unforgiving the sport can be, even for a player as talented and accomplished as she is. The teenager’s frustration was evident throughout the match, as she frequently covered her eyes with her palm or slapped her thigh after yet another errant shot. While her quarterfinal exit marks an early end to her Australian Open campaign, Gauff remains one of the sport’s brightest stars, and her ability to bounce back has been proven time and again.
As Badosa prepares for the biggest match of her career, the stage is set for a high-stakes battle between close friends and fierce competitors. “I’ve known Aryna for so long, and we’ve been through a lot together,” Badosa said. “It’s going to be a great challenge, but I’m ready.”
With Sabalenka chasing history and Badosa playing inspired tennis, the Australian Open semifinals promise to deliver another chapter of thrilling drama on the sport’s grandest stage.