In a stunning display of grit and skill, Paula Badosa reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, toppling third seed Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 on a sunny Rod Laver Arena. The former World No. 2 ended Gauff’s unbeaten start to the season, proving her resilience after years of near misses and injuries.
“Third time’s the charm,” the Spaniard wrote on the camera lens, expressing relief after breaking her quarterfinal curse.
“I’m a bit emotional,” Badosa admitted on court. “This is a dream come true.”
After two previous Grand Slam quarterfinal losses, including a heartbreaking defeat at the US Open, Badosa delivered her finest performance yet. She broke Gauff’s serve four times, remained aggressive, and held her nerve despite the American’s late fightback.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, struggled with 41 unforced errors, including 28 on her forehand, and couldn’t find her rhythm under Badosa’s relentless pressure. “Coco started insanely well, but I’m proud of my level today,” Badosa said.
The win marks a remarkable comeback for Badosa, who considered retirement just a year ago due to a back injury. Cortisone treatments turned her fortunes around, leading to a title in Washington, a semifinal in Cincinnati, and the WTA’s 2024 Comeback Player of the Year award.
Now projected to re-enter the Top 10, Badosa awaits a semifinal clash against either defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Reflecting on her journey, Badosa said, “I’ve been through so much. I’m more mature now, and I think I manage my emotions better—not always, but sometimes!”
This hard-fought victory signals a new chapter for the Spaniard, whose dreams of Grand Slam glory are closer than ever.
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