A scorching day turned into a hot evening at the Australian Open, leading to a frustrating end for Coco Gauff as she lost to Elina Svitolina, missing out on a spot in the semifinals. Day 10 of the tournament started with Aryna Sabalenka defeating Iva Jovic before the Extreme Heat Policy was enforced, closing the roof on Rod Laver Arena.
Under the roof, Svitolina surprised Gauff by winning 6-1, 6-2 in just under an hour, setting up a semifinal clash with Sabalenka. The men’s quarterfinals were split into day and night sessions, with matches played both indoors and outdoors.
Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz secured a victory, moving closer to achieving a career Grand Slam. In the men’s semifinals, Alcaraz will face Alexander Zverev, who defeated Learner Tien in an afternoon match. The upcoming match between Alcaraz and Zverev is anticipated to be a fierce battle, with Alcaraz expressing eagerness for the challenge and seeking revenge.
Svitolina, on a 10-match winning streak after winning a title in Auckland, is back in the Top 10 for the first time since her return from a mental health break. The Ukrainian player lost in the quarterfinals in previous years but dominated Gauff in this encounter. Gauff, visibly frustrated, expressed her emotions by smashing her racket off-court.
The main stadium roof was opened for the final match as temperatures dropped, with Sabalenka aiming for her third Australian Open title. Sabalenka showed her strength against Jovic, overcoming challenges and maintaining her dominance on the court.
Sabalenka praised her opponents, including Jovic, for pushing her to elevate her game, emphasizing the tough competition faced in the tournament. The Australian Open continues to showcase intense matches and competitive spirit as the players vie for victory.