MELBOURNE, Australia — Coco Gauff’s forehand and serve deserted her within the worst approach and on the worst time on the Australian Open on Tuesday, and the No. 3-seeded American was eradicated within the quarterfinals by No. 11 Paula Badosa of Spain 7-5, 6-4.
Gauff entered the match at Rod Laver Area with a 9-0 document in 2025 and on a 13-match successful streak that dated to her title on the WTA Finals in November. Utilizing tweaks to some key strokes to nice impact within the hopes of incomes a second Grand Slam title at age 20, the 2023 US Open champion had solely dropped one set by 4 matches at Melbourne Park this 12 months.
“She’s filled with confidence. However I am taking part in nicely, too,” Badosa stated forward of the competition. “I am able to face her.”
Was she ever. And Badosa now heads to her first Grand Slam semifinal at age 27.
Gauff completed with 41 unforced errors, a complete that included six double-faults — together with on the final level of the sport that put Badosa forward 5-2 within the second set — and 28 missed forehands.
She by no means earned a lot as a single break level till after she already trailed by a set and a break within the second.
Badosa reached a career-best rating of No. 2 in 2022, however then handled a severe again damage that had her considering ending her tennis profession.
“I might by no means suppose that, a 12 months after, I might be right here,” Badosa stated. “I have been by loads. Previously, I used to be among the finest gamers on the earth.”
She subsequent will go up in opposition to No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion in Melbourne, or No. 27 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the runner-up on the 2021 French Open. Their quarterfinal was to be performed Tuesday evening.
The Related Press contributed to this story.
