Coco Gauff had dropped just two sets before meeting Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarterfinals. History, however, repeated itself.

Last year, she cruised to the same stage after losing only one set, only to fall to Paola Badosa. This season followed a familiar pattern, as Svitolina ended Gauff’s Melbourne run at the quarterfinals, triggering visible post-match frustration from the American.

Right after leaving the court, the American smashed her racket in the tunnel after a painful loss.

Elina Svitolina reached her 14th Grand Slam quarter-final and finally made her first Australian Open semi-final, beating Coco in under an hour (59 minutes), after three previous losses at this stage.

Before the match, Coco Gauff became the youngest player to reach three straight Australian Open quarter-finals since Maria Sharapova from 2005 to 2008.

However, Coco Gauff’s frustration was visible early in the match, too. 

As the quarterfinal slipped away, she was seen in a heated exchange with her player’s box. Captured by TNT Sports cameras, this moment became a major talking point after the match. Pundits were quick to react.

“It was so surprising to see her come out, she’s usually a big-match player, so consistent and mentally tough — and she looked lost,” Laura Robson said.

Tim Henman echoed that view.

“That was a shocking performance, there’s no two ways about it, and Svitolina just took advantage.” 

From the opening games, Svitolina was in complete control. The Ukrainian dictated play with confidence and clarity. She never allowed Gauff to settle into a rhythm. Every long rally tilted in her favor.

Since returning from maternity leave, Svitolina has reshaped her game.

She has added more aggression to her natural counterpunching style. That evolution was clear against Gauff, as she constantly changed direction and opened the court first.

Svitolina struck 12 winners, while Gauff managed only three. In baseline exchanges, the Ukrainian took control early. Her footwork and timing allowed her to stay one step ahead throughout the match.

Her serve also played a major role.

Svitolina won 71% of her first-serve points. She delivered four aces, including one to secure a 3-0 lead in the second set and another at 3-1, 30-30, a rare moment that hinted at a possible shift.

Gauff struggled badly with her serve.

She hit five double faults, all in the first set. Each one came at costly moments, including on break points and set points, putting her under constant pressure.

The 21-year-old finished with 26 unforced errors. Twelve came from the forehand side. Even her usually reliable backhand broke down, producing nine unforced errors, including one on her first match point.

Svitolina now advances to the semifinals with momentum on her side. She will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka leads their H2H 5-1, including 2-0 on outdoor hard courts. Svitolina’s only win over Sabalenka came in Strasbourg in 2020. Since then, she has won just one set in four meetings.

Still, after such a commanding performance, the Ukrainian moves forward full of belief and joy.

Elina Svitolina secures Top 10 return after defeating Coco Gauff

Last September, Elina Svitolina ended her 2025 season early. She said she needed time “to heal and recharge.” At 31, the decision proved timely. Her return has been powerful. Svitolina began the year by winning her 19th career title in Auckland. She quickly built momentum on tour.

She is now on the third-longest winning streak of her career.

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In 2017, she won 15 straight matches. In 2025, she won 11 in a row. Her current run places her just behind those peaks.

So far in 2026, Svitolina has dropped only one set. That came against Sonay Kartal in the Auckland quarterfinals. She trailed 5-3 in the third set but escaped with a 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-6(5) win. Her form has also lifted her ranking.

She is guaranteed to return to the Top 10 in next Monday’s WTA Rankings, the first since October 2021.

The win over Coco Gauff marked her 24th career victory over a Top 5 player. Four of those wins have come at Grand Slams after her return from maternity leave.

That victory also leveled her H2H with Gauff at 2-2.

At the Australian Open, Svitolina now leads 2-0, including a 6-4, 6-3 win in 2021. Gauff’s two wins came in 2024, both after losing the first set. Right after beating Gauff, Svitolina spoke on court.

“Always been my dream to come back in the Top 10 after maternity leave, that’s always been my goal.”

With Gauff out, two Americans remain. Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova face each other next. Who do you think will reach the semifinals?