Australian Open: Paula Badosa eliminates third seed Coco Gauff to reach semi-finals in Melbourne | Tennis news
Coco Gauff’s winning streak ended against Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
The third-seeded American arrived in Melbourne as the player in the most form on the tour after winning the WTA finals at the end of last season, and then all five singles matches at the United Cup, including the one against Iga Swiatek.
She entered the last 16 with 11th seed Badosa on a 13-match winning streak, but it was the Spaniard who came out on top in a 7-5 6-4 win.
Badosa feared she might have to retire last year due to an ongoing back problem, but she finished the season strong, reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open, and has now set a new record in Melbourne.
“I came today and I wanted to play my best game, and I think I succeeded,” she said. “Coco played crazy tennis at the beginning, but I’m very proud of the level I played today.
“A year ago I was here with my back and I didn’t know if I should retire from this sport, and now I’m here playing against the best in the world. Today I won, I’m in the semi-finals. I’ll never think that a year from now I’ll be here .”
Both players held serve until 5-5 in the first set, when Badosa hit before taking a 5-2 lead in the second set.
She couldn’t serve it the first time she asked, but she made no mistake the second time and set up a clash against top seed Arya Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Gauff was left lamenting 41 unforced errors, but was philosophical afterwards, saying: “Paula played great. Maybe some moments in the first set could have gone my way, it could have been a different outcome in the first set.
“I think there’s just a lot more work to do. Obviously I’m disappointed, but I’m not completely devastated. I’m looking forward to a lot. Even though I lost today, I feel like I’m on an upward trajectory.”
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