Coco Gauff’s impressive 13-match winning streak came to an abrupt halt in the Australian Open quarterfinals as No. 11 Paula Badosa claimed a 7-5, 6-4 victory on a hot afternoon at Rod Laver Arena. The defeat marked the end of Gauff’s unbeaten start to 2025 and her hopes of securing a second Grand Slam title.
The match exposed Gauff’s struggles with consistency, as her retooled forehand and serve faltered at critical moments. The 20-year-old American committed 41 unforced errors, including six double faults and 28 errant forehands, which allowed Badosa to dominate key exchanges. Gauff’s inability to capitalize on break-point opportunities further compounded her woes, as she failed to create a single break point until late in the match.
“I feel like I’m on the right path, even though I lost today,” Gauff said. “There’s still a lot of work to do, but I feel like I’ve improved since the US Open. This loss doesn’t crush me; it motivates me to keep getting better.”
Badosa, meanwhile, showcased resilience and precision. The 27-year-old Spaniard, playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal, overcame a turbulent year marked by a back injury that had her contemplating retirement. Her victory on Tuesday was a testament to her determination and the support of her revamped team, which includes a new coach, doctor, fitness trainer, and nutritionist.
“I wanted to give it one last try, and here I am,” Badosa said. “I’m proud of how I fought through everything, especially mentally.”
Badosa’s aggressive play kept Gauff on the defensive, converting four of ten break points and capitalizing on her opponent’s mistakes. A critical moment came in the opening game of the second set, a marathon lasting over 12 minutes. Gauff’s forehand let her down repeatedly, and Badosa eventually broke serve to seize control.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Badosa, who had previously struggled in Grand Slam quarterfinals. As she sealed the win with a forehand winner, she dropped to her knees, overcome with emotion.
“I’m never going to feel freedom until I win the tournament,” Badosa said. “But this is a step closer, and I believe I’m finally reaching my full potential.”
Badosa will now face either World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, or No. 27 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 2021 French Open runner-up, in Thursday’s semifinal.
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