In a stunning display of resilience and skill, American tennis player Emma Navarro has secured her place in the US Open semifinals, marking her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal appearance. Navarro, ranked 12th in the world, overcame Spain’s Paula Badosa in a thrilling quarterfinal match, winning 6-2, 7-5.The match, which lasted just over an hour, saw Navarro dominate the first set before staging a remarkable comeback in the second. Trailing 5-1 in the second set, Navarro rallied to win six consecutive games, claiming 24 of the last 28 points to secure her victory. ‘When I got to 5-2 (in the second set), I kind of had a little bit of an inkling that it might be two sets,’ Navarro said after the match.This victory builds on Navarro’s impressive run at the tournament, which included a notable upset over defending champion Coco Gauff in the previous round. The 23-year-old American has shown significant improvement throughout the year, reaching the third round or better at all four Grand Slams in 2024.Navarro’s opponent, Badosa, who was born in New York and had been hoping to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal in her birthplace, struggled with pressure and admitted to anxiety issues affecting her performance. ‘As soon as I entered the court, I didn’t manage the situation or my emotions well. I had so many desires to win that it didn’t help at all,’ Badosa said in the post-match press conference.Looking ahead, Navarro will face either world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka or 2024 Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the semifinals. Reflecting on her journey and the upcoming challenge, Navarro said, ‘It’s crazy to be qualified for the semi-finals. US Open baby! I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and see how far I can go’.This achievement marks a significant milestone in Navarro’s career and adds to the excitement of the tournament’s final stages. As the first player to reach the semifinals, Navarro has set the stage for what promises to be an thrilling conclusion to the 2024 US Open.
Key points
- Emma Navarro reaches her first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open, defeating Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5.
- Navarro staged a remarkable comeback in the second set, winning six consecutive games after trailing 5-1.
- This victory follows Navarro’s upset over defending champion Coco Gauff in the previous round.
- Navarro will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Qinwen Zheng in the semifinals.
