Coco Gauff’s Australian Open journey ended in the quarterfinals on Tuesday as she was defeated 7-5, 6-4 by Spain’s Paula Badosa.
Despite entering the tournament with a 13-match winning streak and hopes of securing a second Grand Slam title, Gauff struggled to find her rhythm, particularly with her forehand and serve, the focus of recent improvements.
The 2023 U.S. Open champion acknowledged that while her serve had significantly improved, it still wasn’t where she wanted it to be.
“I feel like I’m on the right path,” Gauff said after the loss. “Even though I lost today, I know what I need to work on, and I’m still on an upward trajectory.”
In contrast, Badosa, who had been battling injuries for much of the past year, was determined and composed, securing her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal berth.
After enduring a stressful back injury that nearly led her to retirement, Badosa spoke about the mental and physical challenges she overcame. “The puzzle started to look better,” she said, referring to the comprehensive changes she made to her fitness and support team.
Badosa capitalized on Gauff’s unforced errors, which totaled 41 in the match. Gauff’s inability to seize key moments was illustrated in the second set, where a lengthy 22-point game saw her miss multiple forehands, allowing Badosa to break serve. Coco Gauff, who finished with six double faults, never earned a break point in the match until she was already a set and a break down.
“Today, she did better in those key moments,” Gauff admitted, acknowledging Badosa’s ability to execute under pressure.
Badosa’s victory was a significant emotional achievement for her, given her struggles in recent months. She celebrated the win by bowing her head on the court, reflecting on her journey.
“Emotionally, I wanted it so much,” she said, her eyes filled with emotion. “I’m never going to feel freedom until I win the tournament.”
In Thursday’s semifinal, Paula Badosa will face either her close friend, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, or No. 27 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
