Melbourne, Australia - The 2025 Australian Open is living up to its reputation as the first major event of the tennis season, as its quarter-finals delivered plenty of drama and high-level tennis. Alexander Zverev and Paula Badosa both made headlines by securing their spots in the semi-finals, each achieving significant victories on January 21.
Germany's Alexander Zverev, ranked No. 2, faced off against America's Tommy Paul. Zverev, who has navigated the Australian Open with precision, took the match after four challenging sets, concluding with scores of 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1. This match marked Zverev's third semi-final at this prestigious tournament, having reached similar stages previously in 2020 and 2024.
Paul, who had never lost to Zverev prior to this quarter-final and had shown promising form throughout the tournament, came close to taking control. He had opportunities to clinch the first two sets but faltered during pivotal moments. Despite leading 6-5, 40-30 on his serve, he let the chance slip, missing shots on key points. Zverev capitalized on this, turning the tide decisively with his experience. "I should have been down two sets to love and I wasn't playing very well, but somehow I managed to win those sets and played muchbetter in the fourth," Zverev remarked, reflecting on the match's turning points.
The match unfolded dramatically at Rod Laver Arena, where moments of brilliance were often matched by missed chances from Paul. Each tie-break revealed Paul’s inability to close out the sets, with Zverev dominating both, scoring 7-1 and 7-0 respectively. Zverev acknowledged the pressure he faced from his opponent, saying, "It was definitely tough against Tommy; he played well, and I had to dig deep. Yet, I feel confident moving forward.”
Over on the women’s side, Spain's Paula Badosa achieved what many deem the upset of the tournament by defeating Coco Gauff, the third seed and one of the favorites. Badosa, who came to life during the match, achieved her first Grand Slam semi-final by overcoming Gauff 7-5, 6-4. "I'm emotional, I wanted to play my best tennis and I think I did, I’m super proud of my level of play today," Badosa expressed after her victory.
The match was closely contested with Badosa demonstrating resilience, particularly when it came to fend off Gauff's powerful game. The early stages were electric, exhibiting long rallies filled with athleticism and skill. Despite Gauff being expected to press the advantage, Badosa effectively broke Gauff's serve at 5-5 to take the first set. This was pivotal, as she closed the set on her serve.
Gauff struggled with her form, exhibiting inconsistencies and committing 41 unforced errors, including six double faults. "I was disappointed, but I’m not completely crushed. Paula played really well," Gauff conceded after the match, acknowledging her performance was below par compared to her typical standards.
Badosa, who has battled injuries and past challenges, expressed fulfillment with her performance throughout the tournament, stating, "It’s been such a long road, and for me, this is like a dream come true. I’ve come back from several hurdles." She also reflected on how this victory signified her growth as she prepares to tackle the best as she waits to learn who she will face next.
Both Zverev and Badosa now look forward to their respective semi-finals. Zverev is set to meet the winner of the clash between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and young star Carlos Alcaraz, promising to be one of the tournament's highlights. Meanwhile, Badosa will square off against the reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka or the experienced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The anticipation is high as these competitors gear up for their next matches at the Australian Open. Fans around the world can expect more thrilling tennis action as the tournament progresses toward its dramatic conclusion.