Emma Navarro’s US Open run came to an end at the semi final stage as she lost to Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 7-6. It means she will enter the world’s top eight and reach No. 7 in the race. Here at Last Word on Sport, we dissect how a career-best Grand Slam performance will impact Navarro’s future.
Emma Navarro at the US Open
A Career best 2024
At the age of 23, Emma Navarro has reached new heights this season. She becomes the latest successful product of the American college system. She enjoyed an incredibly successful spell, including highlights such as becoming the NCAA Champion for the University of Virginia.
2024 has been the season of growth on the WTA Tour. Her linear Grand Slam improvements (3rd round, 4th round, quarterfinal and semifinal ) plus consistent form on tour means she will likely book a spot in Rydah’s WTA Tour Finals.
After a run of impressive victories against top players, the question becomes whether we have a future grand slam champion in the making?
Her run to Sabalenka
Navarro started with a first-round clash against Anna Blinkova. It was far from an ideal start, as her serve was broken in the opening game. The American responded with a break herself and won twelve of the next thirteen games to close out the match 6-1 6-1. In the second round, Arantxa Rus was a similar story. Once more she lost just two games and breezed into the last 32.
Against Marta Kostyuk it was far more competitive. Up against the consistent Ukrainian she was forced to play a mature and patient game, which suited her anyway. After three long sets she booked an all-American fourth round against world Coco Gauff.
Terrific Performances against Gauff and Badosa
She would have been confident ahead of her clash against Gauff, as she had just beaten her in the Wimbledon quarter final over a month ago. However, doing it in front of a home crowd, on Arthur Ashe Stadium, against the reigning Champion? It’s a different thing altogether. How would she deal with the nerves?
Quite well.
Her game was more well-rounded, her strokes were cleaner and she advanced as deserved winner. Gauff hit an eye-watering nineteen double faults compared to Navarro’s two. Gauff made thirty-six errors, Navarro just nineteen. It was a credit to the twenty year old’s fighting spirit that the score line finish 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. On the night, the quality gap was bigger.
It’s fair to point out that last years champion has struggled lately. Since losing yet again to Iga Swiatek in this year’s Roland Garros, she hasn’t reached a semi final. Her serve is in tatters, her forehand remains unreliable and even her backhand hasn’t been up to it’s usual standards.
Although, this was just as much about a lacklustre display from Gauff as it was about Navarro’s brilliance. From the baseline she was incredibly solid and her backhand a mighty weapon. Tactically she wore down Gauff, forcing her play a rally-dominant game. All round, it was a masterclass.
Positive Signs Against Sabalenka
She backed this up with a stunning 6-2, 7-5 victory over an in-form Paula Badosa. The only woman to stand in her way was world #2 Aryna Sabalenka.
Ultimately, the run would end here. The Belarusian’s power would prove a step too far. Yet, even in this loss there were some nuggets of gold. At 6-2, 5-4 down receiving against arguably the best player in the world, many would crumble. However, Navarro stood tall and forced a tiebreak. Even though a deciding third set never came, the way she battled will give her confidence for future ties.
What This Means
It’s hard to extrapolate a ceiling for what her career may bring. In the near future, it will give her a major confidence and ranking boost. Reaching the top eight will make her tournament runs much kinder, and should she take advantage of this she can really cement herself at the top end of the game.
Her game style is so consistent and elegant that it’s hard to see her ever facing real struggles. She isn’t like a Maria Sakkari when she burst onto the scene, with an aggressive game style that fluctuates in quality. Her baseline level – in more ways than one – is incredibly strong which should stand her in good stead. We should rarely see horrendous runs or performances.
In turn though, she lacks a real weapon in her game, something to split her from the rest. That’s what all the top players have. This may stop her from reaching the very top. There is still a crop of players who when they reach their A-game will be too strong for Navarro.
Although, there is time to develop at just twenty-three. It’ll be fascinating to see how far she goes.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
