Elina Svitolina Stuns Coco Gauff To Reach Australian Open Semi Finals

In a stunning turn of events that sent ripples through the Australian Open, Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian twelfth seed, delivered a masterclass performance to decisively defeat American third seed Coco Gauff. The emphatic victory, secured with a 6-1, 6-2 scoreline, propelled Svitolina into the semi-finals of the prestigious Grand Slam, marking a significant upset and reigniting her pursuit of a maiden major title.

The highly anticipated quarter-final clash unfolded under the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena, where Svitolina displayed an unwavering focus and tactical brilliance. From the opening serve, the 31-year-old veteran dictated play, capitalising on a surprisingly erratic performance from the young American sensation. Gauff, known for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, struggled immensely, her service game particularly imploding under pressure.

The match, which lasted just 59 minutes, saw Svitolina dismantle Gauff's game with precision and depth. The first set was a testament to Svitolina's dominance, as she broke Gauff's serve a remarkable four times, racing to a 5-1 lead. Gauff's frustration was palpable, evidenced by two crucial double faults and a string of unforced errors that gifted Svitolina the opening set in a mere 29 minutes. The American's decision to leave the court for a toilet break and request three racquets to be restrung between sets underscored the depth of her struggles, but ultimately provided no respite.

The second set mirrored the first, with Svitolina breaking Gauff for a fifth consecutive time to open the set. Despite Gauff finally managing to hold serve on her sixth attempt, the damage was done, and the Ukrainian maintained her composure to close out the match with ease. Gauff's first-serve points won dropped to a dismal 41 percent, complemented by 19 unforced errors, a stark contrast to her usual commanding presence on court.

This triumphant advance marks a momentous occasion for Svitolina, who is enjoying a phenomenal return to the sport after maternity leave. With this victory, she extends her impressive win streak to ten matches, building on her recent title success in Auckland. Her journey to the semi-finals in Melbourne is particularly sweet, as it's the first time she has reached the final four at the Australian Open, having previously made quarter-final appearances in 2018, 2019, and 2025. This achievement is set to catapult her back into the coveted top 10 rankings, a long-held dream and a significant milestone in her inspiring comeback.

"I'm incredibly pleased with my performance throughout the tournament so far," Svitolina shared with reporters, her face beaming. "It has always been my goal to return after maternity leave and reach the top 10. It means the world to me, and I continuously push myself, drawing motivation from this journey. I am very satisfied with how I've played here in Australia."

Svitolina's reward for this exceptional performance is a formidable semi-final clash against the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka herself has been in imperious form, overpowering teenager Iva Jovic for the loss of just three games in her quarter-final match. The upcoming encounter promises to be an enthralling battle between two of the tour's most powerful and in-form players, with a spot in the Grand Slam final at stake.

For Coco Gauff, the defeat is a tough pill to swallow, ending her Australian Open title aspirations prematurely. While her talent and potential remain undeniable, this match highlighted areas for improvement, particularly her composure and serve consistency under immense pressure. The young star will undoubtedly learn valuable lessons from this experience as she continues her ascent in the tennis world.

As the Australian Open draws closer to its thrilling conclusion, Elina Svitolina's fairytale run continues to captivate fans worldwide, embodying resilience, determination, and the unwavering spirit of a champion.