Badosa stuns Gauff, Zverev downs Paul ahead of evening showdown

MELBOURNE : Paula Badosa stunned Coco Gauff to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final and Alexander Zverev overcame Tommy Paul to book his ninth as the Australian Open awaited the blockbuster Tuesday evening clash between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

It was third time lucky for Spaniard Badosa as she finally got past the quarter-final stage at a major by stunning Gauff 7-5 6-4 to bring a shuddering halt to the third-seeded American's 13-match winning streak.

Gauff's compatriot Paul had the better of the first three sets against second seed Zverev but ended up on the wrong side of a 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1 scoreline on a steaming hot Rod Laver Arena.

Zverev counted his blessings after reaching the last four at Melbourne Park for the third time in five years, but was in no doubt what the tennis world was waiting for.

"No reason to stay here after you've just witnessed Zverev v Paul," the German joked to the crowd as he looked forward to the clash between 10-times champion Djokovic and four-times Grand Slam winner Alcaraz.

"It's two of the best players that probably ever touched a tennis racket. Novak is the greatest of all time right now, Carlos is going to be one of them.

"It's a privilege to witness it here in Australia. So please, guys do enjoy it."

Double defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka will take on Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first match of the evening session to decide who faces Badosa in the last four.

The Spanish 11th seed thoroughly deserved her victory over Gauff but said she would not be truly satisfied unless she landed the title.

"I'm always like this. It's my personality. It's my character," the 27-year-old said.

"I will step on the court in the semi-finals - I don't care against