Emma Navarro, the No. 13 seed, stunned defending champion Coco Gauff, the No. 3 seed, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open. This marks Navarro’s second consecutive major victory over Gauff, having previously defeated her at Wimbledon.
Gauff, who had won her last 10 matches at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, struggled with her serve throughout the match, hitting 19 double faults. Navarro, on the other hand, played with composure and determination, capitalizing on Gauff’s errors.
In the first set, Navarro broke Gauff’s serve in the opening game and held her own serve to take an early lead. Gauff saved a set point in the eighth game, but Navarro served out the set at love.
Gauff fought back in the second set, breaking Navarro’s serve in the seventh game and winning the next three games to force a deciding set. However, Navarro regained her composure in the third set, breaking Gauff’s serve twice to take a 4-3 lead. Gauff continued to struggle with her serve, hitting two more double faults in the eighth game, which gave Navarro the opportunity to serve for the match.
Navarro held her nerve and closed out the match with a strong return, advancing to the quarterfinals where she will face former world No. 2 Paula Badosa.
Navarro’s victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024, winning her first WTA title in Hobart and reaching her first WTA 1000 semifinal at the National Bank Open. Her victory over Gauff is a major upset and a sign that she is a rising star in the tennis world.
