Coco Gauff Stumbles in Fourth Round as Emma Navarro Advances at U.S. Open

Gauff’s Struggles Continue

Defending champion Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open run came to an unexpected halt on Sunday as 13th-seeded Emma Navarro defeated her in a grueling match that ended 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. The loss symbolized Gauff’s recent struggles, as she racked up 19 double-faults—more than her total of 14 winners—highlighting persistent issues with her serve. This result left many in the tennis world surprised.

This defeat is the latest in a string of early exits for the 20-year-old from Florida, following a third-round loss at the Paris Olympics and a subpar performance in hard-court tune-up events leading up to New York.

A Battle of Wills

Despite her struggles, Gauff did mount a comeback, winning four consecutive games and taking the second set. However, her serve was a liability, with 11 double-faults in the final set alone. Gauff attributed her woes to a combination of mechanical flaws and mental hurdles.

“It’s tough at the moment to not fall into bad habits,” Gauff explained, noting that while she can serve consistently in practice, the pressure of the match environment often brings out the worst in her. The match also saw Gauff commit 60 unforced errors, with 29 coming from her forehand.

Navarro’s Steady Play

Navarro, who had previously defeated Gauff at Wimbledon, showed remarkable poise throughout the match. Despite her share of unforced errors—35 in total—Navarro was able to capitalize on Gauff’s inconsistencies. “It was a bit of a battle of will,” Navarro said, “but I’m proud of my effort today.”

Navarro’s victory sets up her second career appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal, where she will face No. 26 Paula Badosa, who cruised past Wang Yafan with a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Shifting the Spotlight

Gauff’s defeat follows another upset in the men’s draw, where defending champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the third round. With no repeat winners, the U.S. Open’s history of crowning new champions will continue. So far, the tournament has seen some unexpected results, with several top seeds being knocked out early, setting the stage for exciting matchups in the later rounds.

On the men’s side, Frances Tiafoe advanced to his third consecutive U.S. Open quarterfinal, defeating Alexei Popyrin, who ousted Djokovic in four sets. Tiafoe will face No. 9 seed Grigor Dimitrov next. Meanwhile, No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz, who dispatched three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, will meet 2020 U.S. Open runner-up Alexander Zverev.

Looking Ahead

Navarro’s impressive performance against Gauff at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she played for the first time, suggests she’s ready to handle the pressures of big-stage tennis. “I felt comfortable from the moment I stepped onto the court,” Navarro reflected, contrasting her previous experiences on significant courts.

While the loss was a setback for Gauff, she remains optimistic about her future. “I know I can turn it around,” she said, signaling her determination to overcome the obstacles plaguing her recent performances.

The quarterfinals promise thrilling matchups, with Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen set to clash in a rematch of last year’s runner-up contest. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the emerging stars looking to seize their moment at the U.S. Open, promising an exciting continuation of the tournament.