Aryna Sabalenka moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night to return to the final.

The world No. 3 missed the chance to return to the semifinal stage after an inspired performance from the former world No. 2

Spanish Sensation knocks out the world No. 3 in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open 2025. Paula Badosa of Spain celebrates after defeating Coco Gauff of the US during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open | AP

MELBOURNE, Australia — Coco Gauff's retooled forehand and serve abandoned her in the worst way and at the worst time at the Australian Open. The unforced errors just kept accumulating, and so did the double-faults and break points, often followed by a palm placed over her eyes or a slap to a thigh.

Badosa has been a long-time friend of Belarusian world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who Kostyuk refused to shake hands with at the French Open in 2023. The Spanish No. 1 will play the winner of Jessica Pegula and Olga Danilovic in the last 16.

World No.3 Coco Gauff was knocked out of the Australia Open 2025 after losing to Paula Badosa in the quarter-final of the women's singles event.

Coco Gauff has lost in the Australian Open quarterfinals to Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-4 MELBOURNE, Australia — Coco Gauff's retooled forehand and serve abandoned her in the worst way and at the worst time at the Australian Open .

Coco Gauff of the U.S. reacts during her quarterfinal match against Paula Badosa of Spain during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan.

Coco Gauff and Tommy Paul became the latest Americans ousted from the 2025 Australian Open, losing respective quarterfinal matches Tuesday in Melbourne. Top-ranked Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semifinals.