A scorching day transformed into a steamy night at the Australian Open, where Coco Gauff vented her frustration by smashing her racket following a one-sided defeat to Elina Svitolina, ending her bid for a spot in the semifinals. Day 10 of the tournament kicked off with top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka triumphing over 18-year-old Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 before the Extreme Heat Policy was enforced, prompting the closure of the roof over Rod Laver Arena.
Under the covered court, No. 12 seed Svitolina delivered a stunning performance, dispatching the third-seeded Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes, setting up a semifinal clash against Sabalenka. The men’s quarterfinals were split into day and night sessions, with one match played indoors and the other under the open sky.
In another match, top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz moved closer to a career Grand Slam with a commanding 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 victory. Alcaraz will face Alexander Zverev in his first Australian Open semifinal, seeking revenge after Zverev’s victory in their previous encounter.
Svitolina extended her winning streak to 10 matches, marking her first semifinal appearance at the Australian Open after returning from a mental health break. The Ukrainian player, on the verge of re-entering the Top 10, expressed her joy at the tournament and her dream of reaching the top rankings post-maternity leave.
Despite previous quarterfinal losses, Svitolina dominated Gauff, who struggled with her serve and ultimately succumbed to defeat. Gauff’s frustration boiled over as she smashed her racket off the court. Meanwhile, Svitolina dedicated her victory to the supportive Ukrainian fans, aiming to bring positivity during challenging times in Ukraine.
As the temperature dropped, the main stadium’s roof was retracted for the final match, with Sabalenka eyeing her third Australian Open title. Sabalenka emphasized her strength as a female player and overcame Jovic in a commanding performance. Sabalenka praised her young opponents for pushing her to excel in tough matches, showcasing remarkable tennis skills and resilience.