Tag: Zverev

Paul* v Zverev 2-2: Paul fires in the first of what will likely be many aces in this match-up with a 214 km/h rocket for 30-15. The American is opening up the court off his forehand as he nails a winner then sets the next point on the same side and finishes it off overhead closer to the net.

Paul v Zverev* 1-2: Zverev holds easier this time off the back of errors from Paul even as the American is able to return effectively and work his way into a series of rallies.

Paul* v Zverev 1-1: Paul double faults early for 15-15 but punishes Zverev’s returns to hold comfortably.

Paul v Zverev* 0-1: A fast start for Zverev as a trio of errors from Paul take the German to 40-0. Paul tidies up his returns to climb back for deuce but Zverev’s second serve is too hot to handle as he twice attacks off a fault.

Tommy Paul started slowly at Melbourne Park with a five-setter in the opening round against Australia’s Chris O’Connell, then dropping a set against Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the following round. But the No 12 seed has found form with a pair of straight sets victories since then including a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 thumping of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the round of 16.

The players are in place on RLA with No 2 seed Alexander Zverev to serve first.

Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul are on RLA warming up under the scorching sun after the German has been open about preferring to play at night and away from the heat.

The first men’s singles quarter-final is up next on Rod Laver Arena with Alexander Zverev (2) taking on Tommy Paul (12). The duo have faced off twice before, with Zverev taking out both clashes away from the spotlight of the grand slams. But those hard-court matches were back in 2020 and 2022 and both players have been on the rise since the first of those meetings in particular. Zverev will be out to match his semi-final appearance at Melbourne Park last year as well as in 2020, while Paul reached the last four here two years ago.

It turned into a day of firsts for Paula Badosa as the Spaniard dismantled No 3 seed Coco Gauff in their quarter-final. Badosa targeted the American’s forehand throughout and looked to get on the front foot at any opportunity, whether approaching the net or just attacking Gauff’s second serve – winning 76% of points on the latter.

Gauff was at her best when she moved towards the net but paid the price for having 25-10 unforced errors and failing to pressure Badosa’s serve often enough. Badosa had never won a set off a top-10 player at a grand slam before today, now she has won two to claim a spot in the semi-finals.

Paula Badosa (11) beats Coco Gauff (3) 7-5, 6-4

Gauff* v Badosa 5-7, 4-5: Gauff holds to 30 but once again will have to break Badosa to stay alive in this quarter-final. The 20-year-old has started playing with a newfound freedom since Badosa’s double break pushed Gauff onto the ropes as she finally finds her range off the forehand.

Gauff v Badosa* 5-7, 3-5: Gauff breaks back to stay alive in this quarter-final. The American steps up with her Australian Open hopes on the line even as Badosa sends her running from side to side on the baseline. The American bravely puts aside the troubles with her forehand today as she pulls out a pair of winners then seals the break off the same side when forcing Badosa to hit high and wide. Now the No 3 seed needs to hold her serve.

Gauff* v Badosa 5-7, 2-5: Double break for Badosa and the Spaniard will serve for a spot in her first grand slam semi-final. Gauff misses with a simple backhand for 0-15 but Badosa is unable to make the American pay a heavier price as she mis-times an overhead into an open court. The sun seems to be causing both players concerns at that one end of the court. Gauff pulls out a sensational forehand winner but then misses with much the same shot to hand Badosa a break point. A double fault has Gauff hanging on with Badosa to serve for the match.

Gauff v Badosa* 5-7, 2-4: Badosa holds to 15 as the unforced errors continue to mount up for Gauff. The American has hit 21 to Badosa’s seven and is running out of time to turn this around.

Gauff* v Badosa 5-7, 2-3: Badosa breaks again! Gauff has lifted her intensity and pummels a backhand from out wide cross-court for 40-15. But a double fault and a backhand dragged into the net brings Badosa back to deuce. The Spaniard attacks the net from there and breaks off a pair of forehand volleys.

Gauff v Badosa* 5-7, 2-2: Gauff breaks for the first time in the match! Badosa continues to test Gauff’s forehand and starts with a chip that the American fails to return. A mishit Gauff return lands in the corner for 15-15 as she sends a wave of apology, then very much times a backhand to take set up her first two break points of the day. A long forehand from Badosa ties the second set.

Gauff* v Badosa 5-7, 1-2: Gauff holds for the first time in three service games but Badosa remains threatening off her returns as the Spaniard stands aggressively just inside the baseline.

Gauff v Badosa* 5-7, 0-2: Badosa opens the door for Gauff with a double fault for 30-30 but soon closes it off a superb point from both players. The Spaniard is on the front foot looking to move towards the net and when Gauff tries to lob her is able to reach a high ball to smash a winner. Gauff nets a backhand as Badosa holds to 30.

Gauff* v Badosa 5-7, 0-1: Badosa breaks! The Spaniard is up and running for the start of the second set and quickly has another break point after a sloppy Gauff backhand. This time the American is able to save it with a scorching serve and volley off the return for deuce. Gauff moves to advantage four times, the third coming from an ace that she quickly gives up with a double fault, before Badosa claims four more break points. The No 11 seed completes the break as Gauff gets too far under a forehand from the baseline. Badosa is on top with her return of serve as that game took 13 minutes.

Gauff v Badosa* 5-7: Paula Badosa holds to take the first set 7-5 in 50 minutes. Gauff has her chances to break back immediately while facing a second serve at 30-30, but lacks the patience as she goes for a backhand down the line straight off the return and gets too far around the shot. Gauff then sends a forehand over the baseline off a short rally and will have to fight back from a set down for the second match in a row.

Gauff* v Badosa 5-6: Badosa breaks! The No 11 seed pulls out to 0-30 but is unable to make the most of a Gauff second serve with a lacklustre return that allows the American to take control of the point. The Spaniard confidently attacks on the backhand but is hits narrowly wide for 30-30, but then gets to the net and closes the door with a string of volleys before diving to her left with a backhand that sets up break point. A powerful forehand seals the break and Badosa will serve for the opening set.

Gauff v Badosa* 5-5: Badosa holds to 15 as the Spaniard lands more of her first serves. The No 11 seed has only dropped two points off her first serve but the concern is that she has only landed 45% of them.

Gauff* v Badosa 5-4: Gauff eases to 40-0 with a pair of confident winners off each side then gives up the first point off her serve for a couple of games with a double fault. The American sends Badosa wide with her next serve then comes forward to smash the return away and hold. The Spaniard needs to find a way to test Gauff on her serve more and will now serve to stay in the set.

Gauff v Badosa* 4-4: Gauff is largely untroubled off Badosa’s serve to take the game to 30-30 before the American nets twice off the forehand. The rallies are starting to stretch out longer as both players are happy to play down the middle of the court more.

Gauff* v Badosa 4-3: Gauff starts with an ace – her second the day – then holds to love in her most comfortable service game so far. This time it’s Badosa’s turn to misfire off the forehard.

Gauff v Badosa* 3-3: Badosa holds to 30 despite her first double fault of the match as we remain on serve on RLA.

Gauff* v Badosa 3-2: Gauff fires in her first ace of the day at 0-15 then patiently waits for a pair of errors on Badosa’s forehand. The No 3 seed sends Badosa scampering back and forth across the baseline then closes out the game to 15 with a blistering forehand while on the move.

Gauff v Badosa* 2-2: Gauff set ups well behind the baseline as she comfortably returns serve the waits for unforced errors from Badosa to pull away to 0-30. Gauff nets, hits wide then long as Badosa continues to target her opponent’s forehand but the American sets up the next point when clubbing cross-court off the same side for deuce. Gauff does the same with perhaps the shot of the day so far, hitting from deep in the right corner to the far left for another deuce before Badosa finally holds.

Gauff* v Badosa 2-1: Badosa sets up the first break points of the match as the Spaniard peppers Gauff’s forehand. But the No 3 seed serves her way out of trouble from 15-40 to fight back to deuce, as another powerful first serve and limp return takes Gauff to advantage. Three first serves in a row sail long to keep Badosa in the game until Gauff rediscovers her radar to hold. The importance of the first serve today has quickly become apparent.

Gauff v Badosa* 1-1: Badosa starts with an ace then Gauff sends a return long at. The Spaniard quickly finishes off a pair of rallies to race through her serve to love.

Gauff* v Badosa 1-0: Gauff starts with a comfortable hold as the 20-year-old’s poweful serve troubles Badosa from the get go.

Coco Gauff is ready to serve first against Paula Badosa. Let the quarter-finals begin …

Australia’s Alex de Minaur is another to reach a personal best at his home grand slam, brushing aside young American Alex Michelsen in straight sets last night to set up a quarter-final showdown with Jannik Sinner.

Jack Snape was at Melbourne Park to cover the No 8 seed as he reached the last eight at the Australian Open for the first time.

Gauff and Badosa are familiar opponents, having met eight times previously with the head-to-head tied at 4-4. Badosa has show signs of returning to her best especially in a three-set win when challenged by 17th seed Marta Kostyuk in the third round. This is the first time the Spaniard has reached the last eight at Melbourne Park as she now seeks a breakthrough grand slam semi-final.

Coco Gauff dropped a set for the first time at the 2025 Australian Open during the round of 16 before eventually overrunning the returning Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. The No 3 seed can expect another tough battle today against former world No 2 and 11th seed Paula Badosa who is rapidly returning to form after her career was threatened by a chronic back injury. Both players are arriving with plenty of bounce in their step as they make their way onto RLA.

Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa are warming up away from the heat and in the caverns of Melbourne Park, but a reminder of how the third seed progressed to the last eight and within one step of a much-anticipated match-up with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

The temperature is heating up along with the action on the show courts with a high of 33C expected at Melbourne Park and sure to test the players during the day session.

The forecast for the rest of the week is a much more tennis-friendly low-to-mid 20s.

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Preamble

Martin Pegan