Badosa stuns Gauff to reach Australian Open semi-finals
MELBOURNE: Spain’s Paula Badosa delivered a masterful performance to defeat third seed Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday, securing her first-ever spot in a Grand Slam semi-final.
Under the bright sun on Rod Laver Arena, the 11th-seeded Badosa showcased her composure and precision, exploiting Gauff’s struggles on serve and capitalizing on 28 unforced forehand errors by the 20-year-old. With 15 winners and a steely determination, Badosa clinched the victory and sank to her knees in disbelief.
“I’m a bit emotional, as you know, I’m a very emotional person,” Badosa shared after the match. “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 the level I gave today.”
The Spanish star’s aggressive strategy was evident early, as she targeted Gauff’s forehand to create break opportunities in a closely contested first set. The win sets up a semi-final clash against either double defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Gauff, aiming for her fifth Grand Slam semi-final and second consecutive one in Melbourne, was unable to overcome her serving woes and miscues, ultimately falling short against an inspired opponent.
