Elina Svitolina hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

MELBOURNE, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- World number three Coco Gauff was left shell-shocked on Tuesday after a dispiriting straight-sets defeat to veteran Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

The two-time grand slam champion entered as a warm favorite, but her high-voltage game was plagued by unforced errors and misfiring serves.

12th-seeded Svitolina capitalized 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour to storm into the semifinals for the fourth time at a major and the first since Wimbledon in 2023.

Standing in the way of the Ukrainian's bid to reach a first grand slam final is top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who Svitolina will play in the semifinal.

"I'm very, very pleased with the tournament so far," Svitolina said.

The match launched the night session under the roof at Rod Laver Arena amid sweltering conditions in Melbourne.

Svitolina, a former world No.3, came out with all guns blazing and it was clear from the start that Gauff was clearly off her game.

A crestfallen Gauff was never in the hunt and trudged off the court following defeat.

It was a contrasting sight to a beaming Svitolina, who will re-enter the top-10 of the world rankings less than three years after having returned from maternity leave. ■

Elina Svitolina reacts after the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Elina Svitolina hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Elina Svitolina serves during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Coco Gauff reacts during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Coco Gauff serves during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Coco Gauff hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Elina Svitolina hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Coco Gauff hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)