Svitolina Dominates Gauff in 59 Minutes, Reaches First Australian Open Semifinal
Elina Svitolina has achieved an impressive feat at the 2026 Australian Open. In the quarterfinals, she dominated No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, winning decisively in just 59 minutes with a score of 6-1, 6-2. This victory marks Svitolina’s fourth career Grand Slam semifinal and her first at the Australian Open.
Svitolina’s Remarkable Comeback
After ending her 2025 season early to focus on recovery, the 31-year-old Svitolina returned to the tour with renewed vigor. She began the year by securing her 19th career title in Auckland, showcasing her strong form. Svitolina has now extended her winning streak to ten matches, with only one set dropped in 2026.
Key Achievements
- Defeated Coco Gauff in 59 minutes (6-1, 6-2).
- Advances to her first Australian Open semifinal.
- Holds a 10-match winning streak in 2026.
- Claimed her 19th career title at the 2026 Auckland tournament.
- Only dropped one set this year, against Sonay Kartal.
Svitolina’s victory over Gauff is notable as it marks her 24th win against a Top 5 player. This win also evens her head-to-head record with Gauff at 2-2, with Svitolina holding a 2-0 advantage in their Australian Open encounters.
Upcoming Matchup with Sabalenka
In the semifinals, Svitolina will face No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka. The Ukrainian seeks her first Grand Slam final but faces a challenging opponent, as Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 5-1. Svitolina’s sole win over Sabalenka occurred in the 2020 Strasbourg semifinals.
This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both players aim for a shot at the title. As the tournament progresses, Svitolina’s performance indicates a powerful return to form, making her a contender to watch.
