MELBOURNE, Australia — Spain’s Paula Badosa stunned error-prone third seed Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday to reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time at the third attempt.
It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Badosa on a sunbathed Rod Laver Arena. The 11th seed’s two previous Grand Slam quarter-finals had resulted in disappointing defeats and she sank to her knees in disbelief after sealing the victory with her 15th winner, Reuters reported.
“I’m a bit emotional, as you know, I’m a very emotional person,” said the 27-year-old after securing her first win over a top 10 seed at a major.
“The last Slams, the quarter-finals were very tough, so today I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it. I’m super proud of my level.
“This is a dream come true.”
Gauff’s bid to reach her fifth Grand Slam semi-final, and second in a row at Melbourne Park, foundered on her fragile serve and no fewer than 28 unforced errors on her forehand.
“Paula was playing great,” Gauff said after her first loss in 10 matches in 2025.
“I think it’s just a lot more work to do, but I’m obviously disappointed, but I’m not completely crushed. I’m looking forward to a lot.”
Badosa showed her intentions early on in a tight first set by attacking the 20-year-old’s forehand to grab a couple of break points in the third game.
Gauff saved both but Badosa came back at her in the 11th game, earning a third break point with a backhand volley and converting it with a huge cross-court winner off the forehand.
The American fought hard to get back on serve but two wild shots helped Badosa to a set point and she converted it when the third seed went long with a forehand.
Badosa kept up the pressure in the 14-minute opening game of the second set as Gauff’s serve started to creak and the 27-year-old converted her fifth break point to edge ahead.
Former U.S. Open champion Gauff had fought back from a set down to win her last two meetings with Badosa and upped her intensity to break back for 2-2.
A fifth double fault of the match let Badosa back into the next game for a third break of the contest, while another in game seven blew the Spaniard’s lead out to 5-2.
Badosa knew she was on the brink of moving into uncharted waters in her career and Gauff exploited her nerves to break back again but the Spanish number one made no mistake when serving for the match at the second attempt.
The victory was all the more special for Badosa given her long road back to fitness after suffering a stress fracture in her spine at the 2023 Italian Open.
“A year ago, I was here with my back that I didn’t know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I’m here playing against the best in the world,” she said.
“I won today. I’m in the semi-finals.”
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