American tennis star, Coco Gauff, was eliminated from the Australian Open on Tuesday, January 21, by Spain’s Paula Badosa in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, during their quarter-final clash.
The third-seeded American experienced her first loss of 2025, as she was defeated by the 11th-seeded Badosa, who advanced to her first-ever Grand Slam semi-final.
Gauff, the No. 3 seed and riding a nine-match winning streak in 2025, struggled with her game, committing 41 unforced errors and six double faults.
The pair were tied 3-3 in their head-to-head record before this match.
Badosa, ranked 11th, capitalized on her opponent’s uncharacteristic performance, securing the first break point at 5-5 and going on to win the opening set.
She remained dominant in the second set, breaking Gauff three times to lead 5-2.
Despite a late fightback from Gauff, who won two consecutive games, Badosa sealed the victory in the 10th game, reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final at the age of 27.
Gauff, who was seeking her second Grand Slam title following her victory at the 2023 US Open, had been in remarkable form, having lost just one game in her four previous matches and extending a 13-match win streak dating back to last year’s WTA Finals.
Reflecting on her journey, Badosa shared, “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.”
