Coco Gauff’s successful run got here to an finish in opposition to Paula Badosa within the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
The American third seed arrived in Melbourne as essentially the most in-form participant on tour after successful the WTA Finals to finish final season after which all 5 singles matches on the United Cup, together with one in opposition to Iga Swiatek.
She went into the last-eight tie with eleventh seed Badosa on a 13-match successful streak nevertheless it was the Spaniard who got here out on high in a 7-5 6-4 victory.
Badosa feared she could need to retire final yr due to a persistent again downside however ended the season strongly, making the quarter-finals of the US Open, and has now hit a brand new excessive in Melbourne.
“Right this moment I got here in and I wished to play my greatest sport, and I feel I did it,” she stated. “Coco, at first she was taking part in insane tennis, however I am tremendous happy with the extent I gave right this moment.
“A yr in the past I used to be right here with my again and I did not know if I needed to retire from this sport and now I am right here taking part in in opposition to the most effective on the planet. I received right this moment, I am within the semi-finals. I’ll by no means suppose {that a} yr after I’d be right here.”
Each gamers held serve till 5-5 within the first set, when Badosa struck earlier than opening up a 5-2 lead within the second set.
She was unable to serve it out on the first time of asking however made no mistake the second time round to arrange a conflict in opposition to both high seed Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Gauff was left to rue 41 unforced errors however was philosophical afterwards, saying: “Paula was taking part in nice. Possibly some moments within the first set might have gone my approach, might have been a distinct consequence within the first set.
“I feel it is simply much more work to do. I am clearly upset, however I am not utterly crushed. I am wanting ahead to lots. Despite the fact that I misplaced right this moment, I really feel like I am in an upward trajectory.”
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