US Open 2024 Women’s Day 7

The title defence of holder Coco Gauff blew up on the back of 19 double-fault as the third seed crashed to a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Olympic teammate Emma Navarro.

The 13th-seeed daughter of a billionaire hedge fund executive cashed out in the upset win, which took two and a quarter hours, with Navarro breaking four times from a dozen chances.

Gauff’s serve was all over the shop as she lost to her compatriot after going down to Navarro at Wimbledon.   

Navarro will aim for the semi-finals against Paula Badosa, who reached the second Grand Slam quarter-final of her career 6-1, 6-2 over Wang Yafan.

Navarro was playing in only her third US Open and was making her debut on the Ashe showcase court.

‘”It’s great to be in the quarter-finals in the city I was born in,” she said. “It’s special to be playing here.

“Coco was amazing, i have a tonne of respect for her, 

“It was tough losing the second set, but I regrouped and came to the third with a fresh mindset.and was able to play some aggressive tennis.

Badosa, who once stood second in the world, is back on form after a 2023 blighted by back injuries. 

She is the first Spanish woman to play the fourth-round here since Garbine Muguruza (2021) and is now first into the quarters since Carla Suarez Navarro in (2018).The last to the semis here was Conchita Martinez nearly three decades ago.

Against Wang, Badosa got off to a slow start, saving four break points in the nine-minute opening game.

But the No. 29 quickly got her game in order and ran out the winner in 83 minutes, saving all eight break points she faced.

“The match started and it was a battle,” the winner said. “(After) only two games it was 17 minutes.

“It was so humid. I was like ‘I think I’m gonna die here today.’ 

“But I knew it was going to be worth it. I remember thinking ‘she’s tough but I’m tougher. If I have to stay here three hours I will.”  

The New York-born Spaniard said that getting this far after missing the major a year ago due to her injuries was emotional.

“I don’t want to cry because last year I was here and had to withdraw. I couldn’t play the tournament. For me it was really sad. 

“Being back here a year later with my best result in a Slam is a dream come true. 

“A few months ago I was thinking to quit this sport. Because I stopped believing in myself and my injury wasn’t responding. 

“So being back in one of the best places in the world is a dream come true.”

Main photo:-Emma Navarro in winning mood will face Paula Badosa in quarter finals by Mark Greenwood International Sports Fotos Ltd