Emma Navarro made a stunning entry into her first Grand Slam semifinal, defeating Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5 in the US Open quarterfinals. The match, which lasted 1 hour and 12 minutes, showcased Navarro’s resilience as she overcame a double-break deficit in the second set to secure the win.
Navarro began strong, quickly taking control by capitalizing on Badosa’s errors. In the first set, Badosa struggled with 16 unforced errors and five double faults, allowing Navarro to maintain momentum and secure the set with a decisive passing shot.
The second set saw Badosa start aggressively, breaking Navarro twice to take a 5-1 lead. However, the American rallied, winning six consecutive games to turn the match around. “I just wanted to stay really tough,” Navarro reflected after the match, expressing her disbelief at reaching the semifinals.
The victory guarantees American representation in the women’s semifinal, where Navarro will face world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who advanced with a commanding win over Zheng Qinwen. This match marks a significant milestone for Navarro, further solidifying her rising status in the tennis world.