
Serbia’s Olga Danilovic leaves the court following her defeat to Spain's Paula Badosa after the women's singles match on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 19, 2025. AFP
Badosa, the 11th seed from Spain, swept aside Serbia's Olga Danilovic 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) to reach a last-eight clash with the American world number three.
"I love Coco. I respect her a lot," Badosa told reporters of the 20-year-old.
"She's a great competitor. We always have tough matches."
The pair have a 3-3 head-to-head record but Gauff won both their meetings in 2024, with each going to three sets.
The last time was in the semi-finals of the WTA China Open in Beijing, where Gauff won 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on her way to lifting the title.
"Last one was really tough for me because I was winning in that moment, then the momentum changed," said Badosa, 27, who is prepared to go the distance again.
"I hope I can have my revenge here. It's a special match, quarter-finals, centre court, against her," added Badosa, who is into a quarter-final at Melbourne Park for the first time.
"I always enjoyed playing against her. I respect her so much. I will get ready for that battle again.
"She didn't lose a match this year, if I'm not wrong. She's full of confidence. But I'm playing well, too. I'm ready to face her."
The last time a Spanish woman reached the last eight at the Australian Open was in 2020 when Garbine Muguruza achieved the feat.
Badosa can reach a maiden Grand Slam semi-final if she beats Gauff on Tuesday, having also reached the last eight at Roland Garros in 2021 and the US Open last year.
"I haven't experienced a lot of (Slam) quarter-finals. I need to experience more of these moments to know how to deal and to face them.
"My dream is always to be in the final rounds of a Slam. It would mean a lot."
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