Emma Navarro once again proved to be an obstacle Coco Gauff couldn’t overcome at a Grand Slam tournament. After losing to Navarro in the fourth round at Wimbledon earlier this year, Gauff was once again eliminated by a fellow American at the 2024 US Open.
After an even start of the match, Navarro dialed up to take control of the first set and win it 6-3. Gauff, the defending champion, bounced back in the second set (4-6), but that didn’t mark the kind of comeback she hoped for. Navarro’s resilience, speed, power, and ability to extend points crushed Gauff in the third set (6-3) and ensured that there will be a new champion this year.
Gauff was undone by her serve, double-faulting 19 times, and her forehand. She also appeared less ready to respond to a challenging affair the match has turned out, looking exhausted at times. This might have something to do with her appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, although she previously found ways to get through demanding stretches.
For Gauff, the loss represents a disappointing end to an attempt to become the first woman to win back-to-back US Open titles in a row.
For Navarro, the win marks another step into her rapid ascension in the world of tennis. After previously failing to get past the second round of a Grand Slam, she has now done it in all four major tournaments in 2024. Additionally, it was the first time she got past the first round of the US Open in her career.
“It’s pretty insane. I lost in the first round the last two years, and now to be making the quarterfinals is pretty insane,” Navarro said after the match. “This is the city I was born in, and it feels so special to be playing here.”
