Coco Gauff and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka delivered contrasting performances in their round-of-16 clashes at the Australian Open, securing their spots in the quarterfinals. While Gauff survived a challenging three-set battle against Belinda Bencic, Sabalenka cruised past rising star Mirra Andreeva in dominant fashion.
Gauff fights back against Bencic
World No. 3 Gauff had to dig deep to overcome former world No. 4 Belinda Bencic, who is making her comeback after giving birth in late 2024. Gauff rallied from a set down to claim a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 victory.
After losing the first set, Gauff elevated her aggression, firing 27 winners across the final two sets and forcing Bencic into 21 unforced errors. The 20-year-old American improved her 2025 record to a perfect 9-0 and extended her winning streak to 11 matches, dating back to her WTA Finals triumph in November 2024.
Looking ahead to her quarterfinal matchup against Paula Badosa, Gauff acknowledged the challenge:
“It’s always a tough match against Paula. She’s a great competitor, and I’ll need to bring my best.”
Sabalenka breezes past Andreeva
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka made short work of Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, delivering a clinical 6-1, 6-2 performance in just over an hour. The Belarusian dictated the match from the outset, hitting 15 winners and three aces while breaking her opponent four times. Sabalenka didn’t face a single break point, showcasing the form that earned her the 2024 Australian Open title.
Sabalenka now prepares for a quarterfinal clash against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, another experienced Russian player.
Quarterfinal matchups to watch
- Coco Gauff vs. Paula Badosa: With a 3-3 head-to-head record, Gauff enters as the favorite, having won their two meetings in 2024. However, Badosa’s powerful baseline game could present a tough challenge.
- Aryna Sabalenka vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: Sabalenka’s dominance and consistency make her the favorite, but Pavlyuchenkova’s experience and versatility could make this an intriguing encounter.
