Coco Gauff’s red-hot start to the year hit a snag at the Australian Open, where she was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Spain’s Paula Badosa. The 20-year-old American, who had been riding a 13-match winning streak, fell 7-5, 6-4 in a hard-fought battle on Rod Laver Arena. Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, had high hopes of adding another Grand Slam title to her name. But Badosa, seeded 11th, had other plans. The Spaniard played with grit and precision, breaking Gauff’s serve at a crucial moment in the first set and maintaining her composure in the second. Despite a late surge from Gauff, who clawed back from a 5-2 deficit in the second set, Badosa held her nerve to seal the victory with a forehand winner. It was a historic moment for Badosa, who advanced to her first Grand Slam semifinal. “I’m disappointed, but I gave it my all,” Gauff said after the match. “Some matches go your way, some don’t. A few years ago, I might’ve been crushed, but I’m proud of how I fought.” Badosa’s win was even more remarkable considering her struggles with a persistent back injury last year. “I thought about retiring,” she admitted. “But I decided to give it one last shot, and here I am. I’m proud of how I’ve fought through everything.” Next up, Badosa faces defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Sabalenka advanced after a tough three-set battle against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. For Gauff, the loss marks the end of an impressive run, but her fans can expect more thrilling performances from the young star in the future. Meanwhile, Badosa’s inspiring comeback story continues to unfold on the big stage. ---