A scorching day transitioned into a sultry night at the Australian Open, culminating in Coco Gauff venting her frustration by smashing her racket after a one-sided defeat to Elina Svitolina, preventing her from advancing to the semifinals. The tenth day of the tournament saw Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, triumph over 18-year-old Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 before the Extreme Heat Policy was enforced, leading to the closure of the roof over Rod Laver Arena.
Under the shelter of the closed roof, the 12th-seeded Svitolina stunned the third-seeded Gauff with a swift 6-1, 6-2 victory in just under an hour, securing her spot in the semifinals against Sabalenka. The men’s quarterfinals were divided into day and night sessions, with one match held indoors and the other under the night sky.
Notably, top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz moved closer to achieving a career Grand Slam after a commanding 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 win to conclude the day’s play. Alcaraz is set to face Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, with the two players evenly matched at 6-6 in their head-to-head encounters, with Zverev emerging victorious in their previous Australian Open meeting in 2024.
Svitolina’s remarkable form continues as she extends her winning streak to 10 matches following a victory in Auckland, positioning her for a return to the Top 10 rankings. The Ukrainian player expressed her joy at her performance, highlighting her dream to reclaim a Top 10 spot after returning from a break in 2022, during which she became a parent alongside her partner, Gael Monfils.
Despite previous quarterfinal exits at the Australian Open, Svitolina dominated Gauff from the outset, exploiting the American’s service struggles and securing an emphatic victory. In contrast, Gauff, visibly frustrated, resorted to smashing her racket out of the public eye to release her emotions.
As the day progressed, the tournament organizers adjusted to the changing weather conditions, retracting the stadium roof for the final match as temperatures cooled. Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, displayed her dominance early on, overcoming Jovic’s resilient play to secure her place in the semifinals.
Sabalenka emphasized the challenges posed by the emerging young talents she faced in the tournament, acknowledging the competitive spirit displayed by her opponents. The day’s matches showcased both seasoned players and rising stars, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the upcoming rounds.
