Wimbledon 2024: Emma Navarro stuns Coco Gauff to advance to first Grand Slam quarter-final in latest shock – Eurosport

Emma Navarro has pulled off a stunning upset over US Open champion Coco Gauff to advance to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

The American world No. 19 beat her compatriot Gauff – the second seed and one of the favourites for the title – in straight sets, 6-4 6-3.

Gauff, who had only lost 10 games across her first three matches, seemed completely stunned on Centre Court at times as Navarro utilised her incredible movement and defence on her way to a famous victory.

Navarro, a 23-year-old former NCAA champion who won her first singles title this year at the Hobart International, was the first to be broken in the first set, but immediately broke back before claiming the crucial break in the 10th game to take the set.

Gauff, who had not lost a set prior to the fourth round, only managed four winners in the first set, showcasing Navarro’s ability to keep points alive and make Gauff work hard.

That continued into the second set as Navarro claimed a big break of serve in the fourth game, leading Gauff to yell out towards her box searching for answers.

Navarro eventually put the match to bed in the ninth game of the second set, booking a spot at her first Grand Slam quarter-final.

“I don’t have a ton of words,” Navarro said after the match. “I’m just really grateful to be out here on Centre Court at a tournament with so much history and tradition, that so many legends have played on before me. It’s a real honour, so thank you guys for coming out to watch and can’t wait to play again.”

Navarro said she stuck to her gameplan, which was to be aggressive and “push back” against Gauff’s game.

“I think I played really aggressively. Coco is obviously an amazing player. I have a ton of respect for her and what she’s done at a young age is really amazing. I knew she wasn’t going to make it easy on me tonight. But I wanted to play aggressively and push back against her game, and I think I was able to do that.”

Navarro next faces Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, a matchup the American has never lost in three previous meetings.

“She’s a great player,” Navarro said. “She’s not an easy out and always puts up a fight to the end. So I think it will be a really great match and I’m really excited.”