Melbourne, Australia (Reuters) — In a stunning upset at the Australian Open, Paula Badosa defeated third-seeded Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4, marking a significant milestone as she advanced to her first Grand Slam semi-final. A year after battling serious injuries that nearly ended her career, Badosa’s victory over Gauff halted the young American’s 13-match winning streak.

Badosa, the world’s 11th seed, displayed remarkable tenacity on Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, showing poise amidst the pressure of reaching a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time. "I’m a bit emotional," Badosa admitted post-match, attributing her success to the hard work and support of her team. "Today, I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it," she expressed, reflecting on her past struggles with injuries.

Gauff, who came into the match on a high note following her win at the WTA Finals, was unable to find her rhythm against Badosa's strategic play, committing numerous unforced errors, including a staggering 41 throughout the match. Gauff acknowledged the disappointment but maintained a positive outlook on her performance, stating, "Some matches are going to go my way, some are not."

Badosa’s journey to this point has been arduous. After suffering a stress fracture in her back last year and dropping out of the top 100, she nearly contemplated retirement. "A year ago, I didn’t know if I had to retire from this sport," she said, celebrating her remarkable return with this significant win. "Now I’m here playing against the best in the world."

The 27-year-old's victory sets up a clash against either Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the semi-finals, continuing her quest for a maiden major title. Badosa is determined to seize the opportunity against whoever emerges, stating, "I will want to win so badly. That's part of me."

As for Gauff, the loss serves as a learning experience as she stated post-match, "I feel like I'm on an upward trajectory. I know what I need to work on."

This quarter-final highlights the ever-evolving landscape of women's tennis, with Badosa’s narrative of resilience and Gauff’s potential making for an exciting tournament ahead. For more on the match and continuing updates on the Australian Open, visit BBC.