Paula Badosa shares what her coach said about Coco Gauff during upset win in Berlin

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Paula Badosa defeated Coco Gauff, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the second round of the Berlin Open.

In a rare moment of joy for the Spaniard, who has dealt with several injuries over the past 12 months, Badosa stunned Gauff in Berlin.

The 28-year-old lost the first set 6-1, but kept her composure, winning the second and third sets to book her place in the Berlin Open quarter-finals.

What does Coco Gauff need to change to become a contender on grass?

She's out of the Berlin Open…

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During her post-match interview, Badosa shared what her coach told her after she lost the first set to Gauff.

Paula Badosa’s coach told her that he’d never seen Coco Gauff play like she did in the first set

“Honestly, she was playing really, really hard,” said Badosa.

“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 and Coco Gauff’s head-to-head record (5-3)

• 2026 Berlin Open 2R – Paula Badosa defeated Coco Gauff, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
• 2025 Australian Open QF – Paula Badosa defeated Coco Gauff, 7-5, 6-4
• 2024 China Open SF – Coco Gauff defeated Paula Badosa, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
• 2024 Italian Open 4R – Coco Gauff defeated Paula Badosa, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
• 2023 Madrid Open 3R – Paula Badosa defeated Coco Gauff, 6-3, 6-0
• 2022 San Jose Open QF – Paula Badosa defeated Coco Gauff, 7-6, 6-2
• 2022 Qatar Open 3R – Coco Gauff defeated Paula Badosa, 6-2, 6-3
• 2021 Indian Wells 3R – Paula Badosa defeated Coco Gauff, 6-2, 6-2

“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.

“I’m super happy with the third set, how I managed it, because this year, they weren’t coming to my side, so winning a match like this in the third set means a lot.”

Before her win over Gauff, Badosa had been 2-5 in matches that required a third set this season.

Finally securing a big win against a top player, Badosa could barely keep control of her emotions after the match.

“Oh my god,” she said.

“Yeah, thank you. You can see I’m very emotional; it’s been very tough.

Coco Gauff vs Paula Badosa – Match stats

“One year ago here, I got injured, and since then I couldn’t play constantly, and also, I went through a lot professionally but also personally.

“Now seeing myself again, playing at this level, means a lot. I know it’s just a couple of matches, but for me, it’s more the level that I played today against Coco, because she started unbelievably well, and I kept believing, and I think finally I saw myself on court today.”

Finally, Badosa was asked how she keeps finding the motivation to return to tennis despite her various injury setbacks.

“Honestly, the atmosphere I felt today on court, seeing the crowd, the fans, it means a lot to me,” she said.

“Even the changeover, the music, trying to play against the best players in the world, this level, even the tough moments, the break points, the pressure moments, I love these moments, I love to compete, I love this sport, and that’s why I come back every time.”

When fit, Badosa is one of the best players in women’s tennis, and she proved that today with her three-set win over a two-time Grand Slam champion.

She won’t want to stop there, though, and will now have her sights firmly set on the quarter-finals.

Who will Paula Badosa play in the Berlin Open quarter-finals?

Badosa will return to take on Linda Noskova or Diane Parry in the quarter-finals.

If she wins her quarter-final match, she will then meet one of Elena Rybakina, Alex Eala, Elina Svitolina, or Eva Lys in the last four.

Paula Badosa’s Berlin Open draw

And her close friend Aryna Sabalenka is among the players she could then face in the final

Badosa will first play Parry or Noskova in the quarter-finals on Friday, June 19.