Paula Badosa Upsets Coco Gauff to Reach Berlin Open Quarterfinals

On 17 June 2026, Spain’s Paula Badosa, a wildcard ranked No. 142, defeated world No. 7 and fifth seed Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the round of 16 at the WTA 500 Berlin Open. The 1 hour 36 minute win ended a five-match losing streak.

Paula Badosa Stuns Coco Gauff in Berlin Open Upset

Badosa entered Berlin after a year-long battle with a chronic back injury that kept her off the tour. Once ranked No. 2 in 2022, she fell to No. 142 and entered on a wildcard. She led the head-to-head against Gauff 5-3 in eight meetings.

Paula Badosa opens up after emotional win over Coco Gauff in Berlin

Gauff opened with a 6-1 set and a 12-4 ace advantage. Her first-serve percentage fell in later sets. Badosa converted four of five break points in the second and third sets, breaking Gauff twice each. Overall, Badosa broke serve eight times; Gauff converted only one break point in the final two sets.

What Paula Badosa did to Coco Gauff should worry the rest of the Berlin fieldPaula Badosa Stuns Coco Gauff in Berlin Open UpsetPaula Badosa opens up after emotional win over Coco Gauff in BerlinCoco Gauff eliminated in Berlin opener by Paula BadosaThe HinduSportskeedaThe Straits TimesEmotional Badosa Upsets Gauff: I Kept Believing – Tennis Now

The win came less than two weeks before Wimbledon, the first grass-court match of the season for both. Gauff’s early exit raises questions about her grass form, while Badosa’s resurgence may give her confidence heading into the major despite a low ranking.

Coco Gauff eliminated in Berlin opener by Paula Badosa

Badosa called the win a personal milestone, stressing the emotional weight of returning after injury. She said the match showed her belief in her level of play and the significance of beating a top-10 opponent at this stage.

EssentiallySports

Some observers questioned the wildcard entry, saying the draw should favor higher-ranked players. The criticism grew after the upset, but Badosa’s performance directly answered those doubts.

One year later, Paula Badosa is still talking about how bad Stefanos Tsitsipas was as a boyfriend

• “You can see I’m very emotional. It’s been very tough. One year ago here I got injured. Since then I couldn’t play, like, constantly. I went through a lot professionally but also personally. Seeing myself again playing at this level means a lot for me. I know it’s just a couple matches, but for me it’s more the level that I played today against Coco. She started unbelievably well and I kept believing. I think finally I saw myself on court today,” — Paula Badosa, Player

Sportskeeda

• “ ? “You can see I’m very emotional.” — Paula Badosa, Player

Paula Badosa opens up after emotional win over Coco Gauff in Berlin

• “Honestly, she was playing really, really hard. I’ve played against Coco [Gauff] so many times, so I know she has this level, but I also know that if I keep going, I can have my chances,” — Paula Badosa, Player

Sportskeeda

• “But it was really difficult. My coach, after the first set, said, ‘I’ve never seen Coco play like this, so just keep believing, you will have your opportunity if you stay aggressive,’ and that’s what I did,” — Paula Badosa, Player

Sportskeeda

Badosa’s quarterfinal opponent will be the winner of the Linda Noskova versus Diane Parry match. She will also face her doubles partner Jessica Pegula, who advanced after a straight-sets win over Katerina Siniakova.

What Paula Badosa did to Coco Gauff should worry the rest of the Berlin field