PREVIEW Australian Open 2025: Paula Badosa vs Coco Gauff - Can resurgent Spaniard stop in-form American?

The Australian Open 2025 will witness a great match between Paula Badosa and Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals (Tuesday, 1:30 CET). For Badosa, it is not only a golden opportunity to reach the semis of a Grand Slam for the first time, but also to tip the balance in the head-to-head against her rival, who has defeated her in their last encounters. It will be the first clash between the two in a Grand Slam.

Both players arrive with a hunger for victory and two styles of play that promise an exciting duel. Melbourne Park could be the scene of a match that could mark a before and after in the career of the Spaniard, who wants to leave behind the barriers that have stopped her in the most important tournaments of the Tour.

The road to the quarterfinals

Coco Gauff has been unbeatable since her first appearance at the first Grand Slam of the season, dropping only one set in her last match against Belinda Bencic. In that match, the No. 3 player showed her mental toughness, turning the match around with absolute dominance.

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Badosa, on the other hand, had a slightly more irregular path. The Spaniard defeated Xinyu Wang in a solid debut by 6-3 and 7-6. Then she crushed Talia Gibson and took out a complicated match against Marta Kostyuk (17), where she got an important victory, winning even without playing her best tennis. In the round of 16 she defeated the surprising Danilovic in straight sets, leaving very good sensations on the court.

An even track record

So far, Gauff and Badosa have met six times, with three wins for each.

Last confrontations

China Open 2024

Their last duel, at the China Open 2024, set what has been the trend in their rivalry. The No. 12 started strongly, dominating the first set thanks to her changes of pace. However, in the second set, she failed to capitalize on the opportunities she had, ceding control of the match to Gauff.

The number 3 kept calm under pressure and knew how to take advantage of Badosa's mistakes, highlighting the Spanish player's Achilles heel: the lack of consistency in key moments. The American sealed an impressive comeback, taking the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Rome Masters 2024

Prior to their clash in China, both players had met in May, on clay at the Rome Masters. There, the same formula was repeated, Badosa managed to win the first set playing very aggressively. However, Gauff adjusted her strategy in the second set, putting pressure on her opponent's serve;

The third set was dominated by the American, who was better mentally and physically than Badosa. The result: 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 for the 2023 US Open champion.

The Spaniard's last victory was at home, at the Madrid Masters, in the first round of the Iberian event. Badosa imposed her game against a Coco Gauff who was slowly beginning to appear strongly in the circuit. However, at that moment Badosa's experience and the fans cheering her on were too much for Gauff. The number 12 dominated on clay and took the win 6-3, 6-0.

Expectations for the showdown in Melbourne

The next match between Badosa and Gauff emerges as one of the most exciting duels of the tournament. Both players are in good form and if they win, they have a good chance to complicate the path of Sabalenka, presumably who would be their opponent in the semifinals.

For Badosa it will be key to remain calm in the decisive moments and above all to be precise with her serve. If she manages to minimize errors and capitalize on her virtues, she could turn the balance in her favor and reach the semifinals of a major for the first time. It could be a turning point in her career and the Spaniard knows that tennis has it, so the opportunity is in her hands.

On the other hand, Gauff will try to keep the recipe that has given him results. Be patient and wait for his moment to attack. His greater experience in this type of instances and the ranking are in his favor.

The American already knows what it is to win a Grand Slam title, winning the US Open 2023. However, after the title at Flushing Meadows, her performance in the majors last season was overshadowed by Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, who clearly dominated in 2024. However, Gauff was the undisputed protagonist at the end of last season, winning the China Open (where she defeated Karolina Muchova) and later at the WTA Finals, defeating Sabalenka in the semis and China's Zheng Qinwen in the title match.

Badosa returned last year after dealing with career-threatening injuries. At the last US Open she reached the quarterfinals, where local Emma Navarro halted her impressive winning streak on fast courts. It was her best result in a major tournament, matching what she did three years ago at Roland Garros.

On that occasion, Paula lost to an unknown Tamara Zidansek who dazzled in Paris and took a dramatic match 8-6 in the deciding set.

These quarterfinals are an opportunity for the Spaniard to make the big blow and down one of the best players in the world today, which would fill her with confidence in a season that is just beginning.

As the match approaches, fans are anxious to see who will take the victory this time. As we have reviewed both players have had vibrant duels and given the parity, each matchup has the potential to change the dominator in this head to head.

Will it be Gauff who imposes his aggressiveness and mettle under pressure, or will it be Badosa who manages to unleash his best tennis when it matters most?

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