
Rising American star Emma Navarro continues to rack up the accolades during her breakout season, as she joins a unique list of players to have reached the semifinal stage of the US Open.
The 23-year old toppled defending champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round of Flushing Meadows, before defeating Paula Badosa to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. By virtue of this victory, Navarro joins the likes of Steffi Graf and Emma Raducanu as one of the only players to have reached the final four of the US Open without having won a match at the event in previous editions.
Read also
Navarro joins list alongside previous US Open champions
The 13th seed has made two appearances in New York prior to the 2024 tournament. Navarro lost in the first round to Christina McHale in 2021, and then was beaten by Magdalena Frech in last year's first round encounter. However, the American has made the most of her breakout season, and is now one of only six women to have accomplished this stunning feat in the past 40 years. The other members of this exclusive group are listed below.
Emma Raducanu - 2021
The British star came through qualifying to reach her first main draw at Flushing Meadows, before powering through the event and winning her first Grand Slam title without dropping a set.
The British star came through qualifying to reach her first main draw at Flushing Meadows, before powering through the event and winning her first Grand Slam title without dropping a set.
Bianca Andreescu - 2019
The Canadian had never played a US Open main draw match before competing at the 2019 edition, and subsequently went on to win the title.
The Canadian had never played a US Open main draw match before competing at the 2019 edition, and subsequently went on to win the title.
Yanina Wickmayer - 2009
The Belgian star was unseeded heading into the 2009 US Open, and had lost in round one to Katerina Srebotnik in her tournament debut the previous year. However, she beat the likes of Sara Errani and Petra Kvitova en route to the semifinals, where she fell to Caroline Wozniacki.
The Belgian star was unseeded heading into the 2009 US Open, and had lost in round one to Katerina Srebotnik in her tournament debut the previous year. However, she beat the likes of Sara Errani and Petra Kvitova en route to the semifinals, where she fell to Caroline Wozniacki.
Venus Williams - 1997
The WTA icon's breakout run occurred at her home slam in New York, where she overcame the odds to reach her first of 16 singles Grand Slam finals.
The WTA icon's breakout run occurred at her home slam in New York, where she overcame the odds to reach her first of 16 singles Grand Slam finals.
Steffi Graf - 1985
The German had been beaten by compatriot Sylvia Hanika on her main draw debut in 1984, but shattered expectations when she reached the US Open semifinals the following year, at just 16 years of age.
The German had been beaten by compatriot Sylvia Hanika on her main draw debut in 1984, but shattered expectations when she reached the US Open semifinals the following year, at just 16 years of age.
Read also
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026 - Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.
mandoist29-10-2026









