Australian Open 2025 results: Paula Badosa stuns Coco Gauff to reach first major semi-final
Paula Badosa beats Coco Gauff at the Australian Open to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final – just a year after she feared she would have to retire from tennis .
The Spaniard, the former world number two, spent almost two years battling back problems and dropped to 140th in the rankings
However, after a strong end to 2024, Badosa continued his comeback in sensational fashion, ending American Goff’s 13-match winning streak with a 7-5 6-4 victory.
“I’m a little emotional – as you know, I’m a very emotional person,” Badosa said.
“I’ve been through a lot. I was one of the best players in the world but I think I’m a better player now.”
Badosa was named the 2024 WTA Comeback Player of the Year after missing two of the four majors in 2023 with a spinal stress fracture.
The 27-year-old won his first title in more than two years at the Washington Open in August and reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open a month later.
“A year ago, I came here with my back and I didn’t know if I had to retire from the sport,” said Badosa, the 11th seed.
“Now I’m here playing against the best players in the world. I won today and I’m in the semi-finals.
“I never would have thought that a year later I would be here. This is a dream come true.”
She will next face two-time defending champion and close friend Aryna Sabalenka or Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
