Ranking the Australian Open women’s quarterfinals

Much like the men’s draw, the top three ranked women’s players survived the first week of the 2025 Australian Open to clinch berths in the quarterfinals.

Save for a few upsets, the women’s draw has shaken up the way many expected. Here, we rank the four quarterfinals, taking into account head-to-head records, stakes at hand and current form.

No. 4
First-seeded Aryna Sabalenka versus 27-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

In her quest to become the first woman to three-peat at Melbourne Park since Martina Hingis (1997-99), Sabalenka has been nothing short of dominant, coasting to the final eight without dropping a set. She will run into veteran Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, one of the surprise stories of the tournament, who shocked the red-hot Donna Vekic in straight sets in the fourth round. Pavlyuchenkova owns a 2-1 head-to-head record over Sabalenka, including a win in their last meeting at the 2021 French Open. However, Sabalenka has since claimed the crown of the best in the world, becoming nearly unbeatable on hard courts. This should be a comfortable win for the defending champion.

No. 3
19th-seeded Madison Keys versus 28th-seeded Elina Svitolina 

This is a battle of seasoned veterans. While the American, Keys, is trying to return to a semifinal major for the first time in three years, Svitolina is eyeing her career-best result at Melbourne Park. Both have little to lose and everything to gain at this juncture of their careers. Keys is an in-form player fresh off her win at the Adelaide International. Svitolina took an extended hiatus following last year’s U.S. Open and even contemplated retirement. She was inspired to return to the Tour due to her 38-year-old husband Gael Monfils’ magical run that saw him become the oldest ATP-level champion in Auckland. Much like his wife, Monfils had a great first week in Melbourne before falling to Ben Shelton in the fourth round. This match could go either way, but Keys should be the favorite. 

No.2
Third-seeded Coco Gauff versus 11th-seeded Paula Badosa 

Gauff has hit her stride since her upset loss at last year’s U.S. Open. Since then, she’s won three titles — the China Open, WTA Finals and United Cup — and reached the semifinal at Wuhan. Backed by a new coaching staff, she has tweaked her grip and has made subtle changes to her returning forehand. The 20-year-old considers herself a work in progress and has never shied away from adjusting her game based on opponents and surfaces. On Tuesday, she faces a familiar foe in Badosa, whom she defeated in their two encounters last year at Beijing and Rome. However, the Spaniard is 3-3 in career head-to-head against Gauff and is fresh off an impressive win over rising Serbian star Olga Danilovic in the fourth round. Gauff is the favorite, but expect this match to go three sets.

No. 1
Second-seeded Iga Swiatek versus eigth-seeded Emma Navarro

Upset alert for the World No. 2. Swiatek may be more accomplished, but Navarro is right at home on hard courts. The 23-year-old American announced herself at last year’s U.S. Open, where she pushed Sabalenka to the limit in a classic semifinal. She hasn’t made much noise since but seems to thrive under the brightest lights of majors. Navarro is also gaining the reputation of a clutch performer, winning four consecutive third sets en route to the quarterfinal. In comparison, Swiatek breezed into the final eight without dropping a single set. The lack of on-court time could cost the World No. 2 against a tricky opponent. Also, the crowd in Melbourne isn’t very fond of her and will likely back the American.