Elina Svitolina dominates Coco Gauff to reach Australian Open semi-finals

The match lasted just 59 minutes, with the first set completed in 29 minutes.

The 31-year-old former world No. 3, seeded 12th, capitalised on the serving struggles of the 21-year-old Gauff, the third seed and two-time Grand Slam champion.

Gauff was broken four times in the opening set and five times in the second before finally holding serve on her sixth attempt. Her first serve success rate was a mere 41 percent, and 19 unforced errors compounded her difficulties.

Key moments were also costly, including a fifth double fault in the first set that handed Svitolina another break.

Gauff appeared increasingly flustered, requesting three racquets to be restrung and taking a toilet break after the opening set, but she could not recover as Svitolina maintained relentless pressure.

"Very, very pleased with the tournament so far," said Svitolina.

"It's always been my dream to come back after maternity leave to make the top 10. Always been my goal.

"It means the world to me. And of course I try to push myself, I try to give myself this motivation to continue. Very pleased with the performance at this tournament in Australia."

For Svitolina, this marks her 14th Grand Slam quarter-final appearance, though she has only reached the semi-finals three times previously and never at the Australian Open. The victory will propel her back into the top 10.

She will now face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who overcame Iva Jovic in her quarter-final, dropping just three games, setting up a high-stakes clash in the semi-finals. 

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