Emma Navarro Upsets Coco Gauff to Reach US Open Quarterfinals

Emma Navarro eliminated defending champion Coco Gauff in the US Open's round of 16, securing a significant 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory. This win propels Navarro to her second consecutive major quarterfinal, marking a career milestone and positioning her for a top 10 debut in the WTA Rankings.

In a stunning turn of events early Monday morning, Emma Navarro knocked out home favorite Coco Gauff from the US Open in the round of 16. Navarro secured a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win, advancing to her second consecutive major quarterfinal and ending Gauff's title defense and 11-match win streak in New York.

When Navarro first faced Gauff at Wimbledon a few months ago, she was an underdog who clinched a straight-sets victory in the fourth round. Proving her Wimbledon win was no fluke, Navarro's triumph at the US Open adds another significant feather to her cap. Starting the year as world number 31, Navarro is now on the brink of a top 10 debut in the WTA Rankings.

Discussing her career progression, Navarro shared that she exceeded her own expectations after leaving college. "When I first left college, my coach and I made a two-year contract to fully commit to professional tennis," Navarro said, as quoted by the WTA. "I reached the two-year mark this June, and we didn't even talk about it. I've definitely surpassed my expectations," she added.

Gauff's downfall came largely from her own unforced errors and 19 double faults. The match saw both players delivering powerful groundstrokes, particularly focusing on the middle of the court. The first breakthrough occurred when Gauff was serving at 2-3, followed by two consecutive double faults that gave Navarro an upper hand.

"I played really tough tennis," Navarro said. "Both of us faced our own struggles, and it was a battle of will. I'm proud of my effort today," she added.

Navarro will face Paul Badosa in the quarterfinals, each vying for their first-ever Grand Slam semifinal spot. Meanwhile, Paris Olympics 2024 women's singles champion and world number seven, Zheng Qinwen, also reached the final eight after defeating Donna Vekic. Zheng will face Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of this year's Australian Open final.

In a repeat of the Paris 2024 Olympic gold-medal match, Zheng fended off a strong performance from the 24th-ranked Croatian to secure her second consecutive US Open quarterfinal appearance and her second Grand Slam quarterfinal of the season.

(With inputs from agencies.)