With her victory, Emma Navarro ended the title defense of No. 3 seed Coco Gauff as well as her 11-game winning streak in New York. Gauff was one of the strongest competitors for the title going into the US Open 2024.
In the women’s singles round of 16 match, Emma Navarro surprised both Coco Gauff and her supporters by defeating the defending champion 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to go to the quarterfinals.
After a thrilling three-set match that saw the No. 13 seed defeat Gauff’s defense 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, the Spanish player Paula Badosa will now play for a spot in the final four.
According to Navarro, she signed “a two-year contract” to play professional tennis with her coach, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to make a living off of the sport for a long time.
“My coach and I made like a two-year contract when I first left college,” Navarro was cited by WTA as saying following the victory. “I would fully commit myself to playing professional tennis for two years and then kind of just reassess after that.”
“I believe I reached the two-year milestone in June of this year, and neither of us acknowledged nor discussed it. Thus, they have undoubtedly exceeded my expectations.”
I engaged in very competitive tennis. It was not simple. I believe that at times, we both had our own challenges. There was, in my opinion, a brief struggle for wills. However, I’m proud of my work alone today.”
Heartbroken by the defeat, Gauff acknowledged that her inability to serve flawlessly “was the biggest difference” in the match.
“I put up a great fight today. The biggest difference, in my opinion, was that I neglected my serve,” Gauff remarked.
“It was all out of me, both mentally and emotionally. Of course, there were some instances in which I could have served more effectively.
“I think if I would did that, it would have been a different story for me in the match.”
