Coco Gauff’s Australian Open Journey Ends in Quarterfinals as Paula Badosa Secures Semifinal Spot
MELBOURNE, Australia — Coco Gauff’s quest for a second Grand Slam title came to an abrupt halt at the Australian Open on Tuesday. The 20-year-old American, who had been riding a 13-match winning streak, fell to Spain’s Paula Badosa in a hard-fought quarterfinal match, 7-5, 6-4.
Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, struggled with unforced errors, double faults, and missed break points throughout the match. Her retooled forehand and serve, which had been key to her recent success, faltered at critical moments. The frustration was evident as she frequently enough placed a palm over her eyes or slapped her thigh in disappointment.
“I feel like (at the) U.S. Open, I was playing with no solution, so that was more the frustrating part. Today, I feel like I’m playing with solutions; I know what I need to work on,” Gauff said after the match. “Not saying that my serve is where I want it to be, but I worked on it; obviously, a big improvement. So I want to continue working on that, continue working on playing aggressive.”
Despite the loss, Gauff remains optimistic about her trajectory. “So I feel like I’m on the road to the right way, right path,” she added. “Even though I lost today, I feel like I’m in an upward trajectory.”
gauff entered the match with a perfect 9-0 record in 2025, having capped off 2024 with a victory at the WTA Finals in November. However, Badosa’s resilience and precision proved too much to overcome.
For Badosa,the victory marks a important milestone. The 27-year-old Spaniard, who had been 0-2 in Grand Slam quarterfinals, is now set to compete in her first major semifinal. This achievement comes less than a year after she contemplated retirement due to a stress fracture in her back that took months to heal.
“I wanted to (give) it a last try,” Badosa said. “Well, here I am. so I’m really proud of what we went through with all my team and especially how I (fought) through all that,especially mentally.”
Badosa will face her close friend and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.
| Key Match Details |
|———————–|
| Winner | paula Badosa (Spain) |
| Score | 7-5, 6-4 |
| Duration | 1 hour, 43 minutes |
| gauff’s Streak | 13 matches ended |
| Badosa’s Milestone| First grand Slam semifinal |
Gauff’s journey in Melbourne may have ended, but her determination to improve remains unwavering. “Just a lot more work to do,” she said. “I’m obviously disappointed, but I’m not entirely crushed.”
As Badosa prepares for her semifinal clash, the tennis world watches with anticipation, celebrating her remarkable comeback and the resilience that brought her to this moment.
Zverev Advances to Australian Open Semifinals as Badosa Stages Comeback Victory
The Australian Open continues to deliver thrilling matches, with Alexander zverev securing his spot in the semifinals and Paula Badosa making a triumphant return to form after a challenging year.
Zverev’s dominance in Tiebreakers
Alexander Zverev, a two-time finalist at other majors, reached the semifinals in Melbourne for the third time as 2020 after defeating Tommy Paul in a hard-fought match. The German star triumphed 7-6 (1), 7-6 (0), 2-6, 6-1, showcasing his resilience in crucial moments.
Paul came close to winning both the first and second sets, but Zverev’s composure in the tiebreakers proved decisive. “He was simply superior in the tiebreakers,” analysts noted,as Zverev clinched the first set tiebreaker 7-1 and the second 7-0.
Zverev will now face Novak Djokovic, who advanced to his 50th grand Slam semifinal after a grueling 3.5-hour battle against carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, who took a medical timeout for his left leg, eventually found his rythm and won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Badosa’s Comeback Story
Meanwhile, Paula Badosa has been making headlines for her remarkable comeback after a year plagued by injuries. The Spanish player, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in 2022, struggled with a back injury sustained during a practice session at the Rome tournament in May 2023.“The reality is that the back was not responding. We couldn’t find a solution. Paula was frustrated,” said her coach, Pol Toledo.
After months of rehabilitation and working with a new medical team, Badosa’s persistence paid off. “The puzzle started to look better,” she said, reflecting on her recovery.
Her determination was evident in her quarterfinal match against Coco Gauff, where she capitalized on Gauff’s 41 unforced errors, including six double-faults and 28 missed forehands.Badosa converted four of her 10 break points, while Gauff failed to earn a single break point until she was already down a set and a break.
A pivotal moment came in the second set, where Badosa won a 22-point game that lasted over 12 minutes. Of her 12 points in that game, 11 came from Gauff’s mistakes. “Today, she did better in those key moments,” Gauff admitted.
badosa sealed her victory with a forehand winner, dropping to her knees in celebration.“This was a big moment for someone who believes she’s finally reached her full potential,” commentators observed.
Key Highlights
| Player | Achievement | Opponent | Score |
|———————-|———————————————————————————|————————-|——————————-|
| Alexander Zverev | Reached semifinals for the third time since 2020 | Tommy Paul | 7-6 (1), 7-6 (0), 2-6, 6-1 |
| Novak Djokovic | Advanced to 50th Grand Slam semifinal | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 |
| Paula Badosa | Overcame injury struggles to defeat Coco Gauff | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-3 |
What’s Next?
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the semifinal clash between Zverev and Djokovic, a match that promises to be a battle of endurance and skill.Simultaneously occurring, badosa’s resurgence serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the Australian Open continues to unfold.
For more details on the tournament, visit the official Australian Open website.nPaula Badosa’s relentless pursuit of victory has become a defining trait of her career. The Spanish tennis star recently opened up about her emotional drive and unwavering determination to succeed on the court. “Emotionally, I wanted it so much,” badosa said. “I’m never going to feel freedom until I win the tournament. I’m always like this. It’s my personality. It’s my character.”
Badosa’s candid remarks highlight the intense pressure she places on herself to achieve her goals. Her personality and character, marked by a fierce competitive spirit, have propelled her to the upper echelons of the sport.Yet, this same drive leaves her yearning for the ultimate validation—a tournament victory that would bring her a sense of freedom.
Her journey is a testament to the mental and emotional challenges faced by elite athletes. Badosa’s relentless ambition is both her greatest strength and her most significant burden. As she continues to compete at the highest level, her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder of the sacrifices required to excel in professional sports.
For more insights into the world of tennis, explore the latest updates from howard Fendrich, the AP’s tennis writer since 2002, and stay informed with complete coverage on the AP Tennis Hub.
| Key Insights | Details |
|————————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Emotional Drive | Badosa’s intense desire for victory fuels her performance.|
| Personality & Character | Her competitive nature defines her approach to the sport. |
| Quest for Freedom | She seeks liberation through winning a major tournament. |
| Inspiration for Aspiring Athletes| Her journey highlights the challenges and rewards of professional sports. |
Badosa’s story is a compelling narrative of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness.As she continues to chase her dreams, her journey remains a source of inspiration for fans and fellow athletes alike.