Coco Gauff, the defending US Open champion, faces an early exit after losing to Emma Navarro in the Round of 16.
The 2024 US Open has been a tournament Coco Gauff would prefer to forget quickly. The reigning champion was eliminated in the Round of 16 on Sunday, losing to fellow American Emma Navarro with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Navarro came out strong in the first set, taking it 6-3. The second set was a battle of momentum shifts. The two players went back and forth early on, with the set tied at three games each. Navarro broke Gauff’s serve to lead 4-3, putting Gauff under pressure. However, Gauff managed to break Navarro’s serve in return, eventually winning the second set 6-4 and pushing the match to a deciding third set.
“Coco gave it her all, but Emma played an incredible match and deserved to advance,” said a tennis analyst.
The third set started with Gauff gaining an early advantage, but Navarro quickly turned the tide. Navarro won the next three games, putting her ahead 3-1. The set continued with both players alternating victories in their games. Navarro eventually reached a 5-3 lead with Gauff serving. The match ended on a sour note for Gauff as she double-faulted three times, contributing to her defeat and Navarro’s progression to the quarterfinals.
Gauff’s performance was marred by errors, including 19 double faults throughout the match. Eleven of these occurred in the final set alone. Her frustration was evident as she threw her racket down in anger after her last double fault.
This loss marks Gauff’s second consecutive early exit in a grand slam Round of 16, having previously advanced to the semifinals in her last three tournaments. Notably, it is the sixth consecutive year that the reigning US Open champion has not reached the quarterfinals. The last reigning champion to reach a semifinal was Serena Williams in 2015.
Navarro’s victory is a significant milestone in her career. The 23-year-old is now set to face Paula Badosa of Spain in the quarterfinals. This marks Navarro’s second consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals, an impressive feat considering she had never advanced past the second round of a grand slam until this year.
Despite the setback, Coco Gauff remains a prominent figure in tennis, with her recent performances highlighting both her potential and the challenges she faces on the grand stage. The match was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis and the fierce competition at the top level.
As the US Open progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if Navarro can continue her strong performance and possibly secure a grand slam title. The tournament has already seen its fair share of surprises, and the remaining rounds promise more thrilling action.
