Emotional Badosa stuns Gauff to reach Australian Open semi-finals / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
-
Botched US execution leaves murderer unconscious on ventilator: lawyers
-
China a better influence in Latin America than US: poll
-
Cornell rape case exposes sexual violence at US colleges
-
Judge pauses construction of border project in Texas national park
-
France held by Italy in Zidane's homecoming after Olise stunner
-
Belgium's De Bruyne fires double to sink Turkey, France held by Italy
-
Ethiopian pro-government militia claims Tigray airport as regional tensions spike
-
US jobs data boosts stocks as oil prices dip
-
Ohtani shaking off injuries as Dodgers launch MLB post-season
-
US Supreme Court to hear high-stakes climate case
-
Sea levels to rise in California as coastal wave surges up west coast
-
Trump expected to name intel chief Clayton as AI czar: reports
-
New rallies urged in France as protests disrupt over 730 schools
-
Argentina unveils passports-for-investment scheme
-
Djokovic survives China Open scare, Sabalenka starts strong
-
Brazil election debate chaos sparks censorship row
-
King Charles to evoke colonial 'darkest days' on Caribbean tour
-
England's Carse charged by cricket body over nightclub incident
-
Tesla shares jump after global car sales top estimates
-
Amazon vows $1 bn for data center towns, decries 'myths'
-
DR Congo Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,000: official figures
-
Oil prices drop on G7 fuel release, US jobs data boosts stocks
-
Djokovic survives China Open scare against wildcard world no. 104
-
G7 agrees deal to ease global energy supply concerns
-
Lula, Bolsonaro trade blows in final scramble for votes in Brazil
-
Spain's government dealt blow as lawmakers reject housing bills
-
New clashes erupt as protests disrupt over 560 French schools
-
Food, medicine shortages deepen in Russian-occupied Oleshky
-
NY governor vows to close loophole after alleged Cornell gang rape
-
Man City whistleblower Rui Pinto facing 'dire consequences' - lawyers
-
Ethiopia Tigray rebels pushed back as regional tensions spike
-
Russia 'tearing Kyiv apart', mayor says, as strikes paralyse traffic
-
Stocks rise, yields fall as US job numbers disappoint
-
Taiwan boxer Lin wins Games gold as Japan edge North Korea on penalties
-
Man City verdict a 'big topic' for England players, says Tuchel
-
Japan tame North Korea to win Games gold after shootout drama
-
NY attorney general tasked with investigating alleged Cornell gang rape
-
US posts weak job growth data in September
-
China widens military footprint with Laos air base
-
Ethiopia's conflict: the regional dimension
-
G7 talks as US pressures Europe over diesel stocks
-
Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid levels, says WHO
-
Man City launch appeal against explosive financial ruling
-
Turkey's football referee chief faces judge in graft probe
-
Swiss president to quit government
-
Verstappen goes own way to avoid the rain
-
Europe rejects US threats over diesel stocks, urges joint G7 action
-
Oil slides, bonds steady as EU addresses diesel price surge
-
Philippines tennis star Eala says 'I get overwhelmed sometimes'
-
Spain housing package at risk in parliament, as protests mount
Emotional Badosa stuns Gauff to reach Australian Open semi-finals
An "emotional" Paula Badosa shattered world number three Coco Gauff's dream of a first Australian Open title when she stunned her 7-5, 6-4 in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Badosa reached a Slam semi-final for the first time in her career -- the first Spanish woman to do so since Garbine Muguruza at Melbourne in 2020.
"I'm a bit emotional," said Badosa, who will face either two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who play later, for a place in the final.
"I'm a very emotional person. I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it.
"I'm super proud of the level I gave today."
It caps a remarkable comeback to tennis for the 11th seed who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back.
"I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world," said Badosa.
"I won today. I'm in a semi final. So I would never think that a year after I would be here."
Third seed Gauff had been unbeaten in nine matches this season but dropped her first set of 2025 before recovering to beat Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic in the last 16.
Badosa began aggressively and had the Gauff serve under pressure early in the first set.
Gauff was serving at 5-5 30-40 when the Spaniard got the breakthrough on her third break-point opportunity and served out to take the opener in 56 minutes.
The American, uncharacteristically, failed to create any break points in the first set and littered her game with unforced errors.
Badosa was relentless at the start of the second set in a marathon first game that lasted for 14 minutes and went to eight deuces.
Gauff saved four break points but a fifth proved costly as the American went long to drop her serve again.
A rasping running forehand winner and a backhand at the net put Gauff on the board and fired her up as broke back to level at 2-2.
But Badosa powered to another two breaks and secured the match in 1hr 43min, falling to the court in celebration as she registered her first win over a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam in four attempts.
A.Mahlangu--AMWN
