Paula Badosa Shocks Coco Gauff to Reach First Grand Slam Semi-Final at Australian Open

• Paula Badosa defeated Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.
• This victory marks Badosa's first appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final.
• Gauff committed 41 unforced errors, contributing to her defeat.
• Badosa's journey is remarkable after battling back from a severe back injury.
• She will face Aryna Sabalenka in the next round for a place in the final.

In a stunning upset at the Australian Open quarter-finals, Paula Badosa overcame Coco Gauff, the third seed, with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-4. This victory not only marked Badosa's first win over a top-10 opponent in a Grand Slam but also secured her a spot in the semi-finals for the first time in her career. The 27-year-old Spaniard has made a remarkable comeback after suffering from a debilitating back injury that left her questioning her future in the sport.

On a sunlit Rod Laver Arena, Badosa displayed remarkable resilience and skill, breaking Gauff's serve at a critical point in the first set at 5-5. She capitalized on Gauff's struggles, particularly with her forehand, which resulted in 41 unforced errors throughout the match, including six double faults. Badosa expressed her emotions post-match, stating, "I’m a bit emotional... I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it.” This win comes as part of a broader narrative of redemption for Badosa, who was ranked outside the top 100 just a year ago.

Meanwhile, Gauff entered the match with a 13-match winning streak and aspirations of claiming her second Grand Slam title. However, despite an initial promising start, she struggled to maintain her momentum against Badosa's consistent play. After the match, she reflected on her performance, acknowledging her disappointment but remaining optimistic about her future, saying, "I think it’s just disappointed that I could have done a little bit better in some areas.”

Looking ahead, Badosa's next challenge will be against either defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Badosa emphasized her determination, stating, "I will step on the court in the semi-finals -- I don't care against who -- and I will want to win so badly." This quote underlines the competitive spirit that has fueled Badosa's inspiring journey back to the top of women's tennis.

For more details on this thrilling quarter-final, check Reuters, SCMP, AP News, and The Guardian.