Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina delivered a commanding performance at the Australian Open, defeating American Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in the quarterfinals on January 27, 2026, at Melbourne Park. The dominant victory extended Svitolina’s perfect 10-0 record in 2026 and secured her first semifinal appearance at the Australian Open after reaching the quarterfinals three times previously. Svitolina will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, setting up a highly anticipated clash between two undefeated players.
The 31-year-old Svitolina, who gave birth to her daughter in 2022, will return to the Top 10 rankings for the first time since her maternity leave. According to her post-match interview on Rod Laver Arena, returning to the Top 10 after becoming a mother had always been her goal and dream.
Aggressive Strategy Overwhelms Coco Gauff
Svitolina’s relentless attacking style proved too much for the third-seeded Gauff, who struggled throughout the 59-minute match. The Ukrainian player targeted Gauff’s forehand weakness consistently, forcing the American into errors and preventing her from establishing any rhythm. Gauff won only 18 percent of points on her second serve and managed just five points on serve in the opening set.
Additionally, Gauff’s frustration became evident as she turned to her coaching box mid-match, asking her team if she was playing incorrectly. The typically energetic American appeared bewildered and overwhelmed, finishing with only three winners against 26 unforced errors. After the match, Gauff smashed her racket while heading to the locker room, an unusual display of frustration from the normally composed player.
During her post-match press conference, Gauff acknowledged the difficult day, according to reporters present. She credited Svitolina for forcing her to play poorly and admitted that bad days are often caused by opponents playing exceptional tennis. Meanwhile, Gauff reflected on her need to find ways to win through poor performances, citing Serena Williams as an example of someone who could overcome off-days to win titles.
Tactical Evolution Powers Svitolina Success
Svitolina has transformed her playing style since returning from maternity leave, moving away from her traditional counter-punching approach to a more aggressive game. This tactical evolution was on full display against Gauff, as she kept points short and sharp with relentless attacking. However, her aggression never came at the expense of control, as she maintained remarkable consistency throughout the match.
ESPN commentator Caroline Wozniacki defended Gauff’s emotional response while analyzing the match. According to Wozniacki, showing frustration and getting it out is acceptable for athletes after such a disappointing performance. She noted that losing badly is not how any player wants to exit a tournament.
Elina Svitolina Prepares for Sabalenka Showdown
The semifinal matchup against world number one Aryna Sabalenka presents a significantly tougher challenge for Svitolina. Sabalenka, who defeated American teenager Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 in her quarterfinal, also boasts an undefeated record in 2026. The Belarusian holds a 5-1 career advantage over Svitolina in their previous encounters.
In contrast to her dominance over Gauff, Svitolina will face an opponent without the same vulnerabilities. Sabalenka’s powerful serve and formidable forehand cannot be exploited like Gauff’s weaker shots. Nevertheless, Svitolina may draw on her counter-punching skills to frustrate Sabalenka, similar to how Gauff upset the Belarusian star at both the 2023 U.S. Open and 2025 French Open.
The political dimension adds another layer to this semifinal matchup. Svitolina, representing Ukraine, refuses to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players at the net due to the ongoing war. At last year’s Australian Open, according to her comments to reporters, she emphasized her responsibility to use her platform to raise awareness about the war and Ukrainian needs.
Gauff will drop to at least number four in the WTA rankings following this Australian Open quarterfinal exit. Despite being the highest-paid female athlete in the world, this loss represents a concerning setback. The blueprint Svitolina used to expose Gauff’s weaknesses could provide valuable tactical insights for future opponents on the tour.
The semifinal between Svitolina and Sabalenka is expected to take place in the coming days, though tournament organizers have not yet confirmed the exact scheduling. Both players will be seeking their first Grand Slam final appearance of 2026.
