No. 13 Emma Navarro defeated No. 3 Coco Gauff 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the US Open round of 16 on Sunday. This was a continuation of Navarro's breakout season.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Navarro said after her win. “I've lost in the first round for the last two years, now to get to the quarter-finals is pretty crazy. This is the city I was born in and it feels so special to play here. Coco is a great player and I have a lot of respect for her. I know she'll come back here in a year and win this thing.
The 23-year-old reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year and secured this ticket by also defeating Gauff in the round of 16.
Gauff won the 2023 title at Flushing Meadows but struggled with her forehand and serve during this year's tournament. Those difficulties were clearly visible at the start of Sunday's all-American game.
The 20-year-old lost the first set with five double faults and 21 unforced errors. Meanwhile, tennis legend Serena Williams was at Asher Ashe Stadium giving an interview to ESPN. The 23-time Grand Slam champion discussed Gauff's game and suggested, “Don't think, just do it,” and even though Gauff couldn't hear the advice, it seemed like she started with it.
In the second set, Gauff found a better rhythm. She still made a lot of unforced errors, but she tied the score at 4-4 and used that momentum to get the crowd cheering even louder. Navarro made more unforced errors in that set and Gauff eventually won the third set.
Gauff won the first game, but just when it seemed like she was taking control, Navarro fought back and got the job done. Gauff also continued to give her opponent free points with 11 double faults, more than in her first two sets combined. She finished the game with 59 unforced errors while Navarro had 35.
Navarro will next face No. 26 seed Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
