Emma Navarro Upsets Defending Champion Coco Gauff at U.S. Open
In a stunning turn of events at the U.S. Open, Emma Navarro defeated defending champion and fellow American Coco Gauff in a thrilling fourth-round match. Navarro secured her victory with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, marking her second win over Gauff in a Grand Slam this year.
Gauff, who had hoped to avenge her fourth-round loss to Navarro at Wimbledon, struggled to find her footing at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 20-year-old third seed was plagued by serving issues, recording 19 double faults\u2014matching the total from her previous three matches combined\u2014and committing 60 unforced errors.
Navarro, the 13th seed, showcased an aggressive and dominant performance that left the crowd in awe. “I lost in the first round the last two years, and now to be making quarterfinals is pretty insane,” Navarro said. “This is the city I was born in, and it feels so special to be playing here. Coco’s an amazing player, and I have a ton of respect for her. I know she’s going to come back here and win this thing again one year.”
The match began with Gauff serving three double faults in her opening game, setting the tone for a challenging contest. Despite moments of resilience, Gauff could not overcome Navarro’s relentless play. The victory propels Navarro into her second Grand Slam quarterfinal, where she will face Spain’s 26th seed Paula Badosa.
Badosa advanced after defeating Wang Yafan of China 6-1, 6-2 at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Sunday. With Gauff’s exit, she is expected to drop out of the top five in the world rankings, highlighting the shifting dynamics in women’s tennis.
Navarro’s remarkable journey at the U.S. Open continues to captivate fans and sets the stage for an exciting quarterfinal matchup. Her performance underscores the emergence of new talent in the sport and hints at a promising future for the young American.
Reference(s):
Coco Gauff ousted by Emma Navarro from U.S. Open in fourth round
cgtn.com
