Confident Coco 👏👏 @CocoGauff takes the first set 6-3 over Navarro and is one set away from defending her title. #ASBClassic
Coco Gauff secured another victory, this time against her compatriot world No. 31 Emma Navarro. The 19-year-old once again reached the final of the ASB Classic, where she is the current champion and the top favorite of the tournament. Gauff still awaits her opponent in the final, which will be determined by the winner of the clash between the second seed Elina Svitolina and China's Wang Xiyu.
The start of the 2023 US Open champion has been a success with her fourth consecutive straight-set win. In the first round, she eliminated her compatriot Claire Liu (No. 95) with a score of 6-4, 6-2. The second-round challenge came against the 16-year-old Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova (No. 117), who had no chance against Gauff, losing 6-3, 6-0. The quarterfinals were also not a problem for the 19-year-old, as she ousted the 8th seed Varvara Gracheva (No. 42).
Confident Coco 👏👏 @CocoGauff takes the first set 6-3 over Navarro and is one set away from defending her title. #ASBClassic
Her opponent, Emma Navarro, faced greater difficulties along the way, although she managed to secure victories over Linda Fruhvirtova (2-6, 6-4, 6-2), then Elina Avanesian (6-1, 6-2), and a great match against the 7th seed Petra Martic (6-4, 6-3).
In the first set, Coco Gauff struck first by securing a break in the fourth game and taking a 3-1 lead, which she maintained for the rest of the set without losing her service. The world No. 3 ended the set without facing any break points from her opponent, winning 6-3 with an impressive 70% first-serve accuracy, winning 95% of those points. However, with the second serve, she encountered more difficulties, winning only 38% of them.
Emma Navarro had a solid first set, but the break in the middle of the set took its toll as Gauff did not provide any opportunities from her service.
In the second set, Gauff maintained her level and secured an early break to take a 1-0 lead. Just 15 minutes later, Gauff claimed another break, leading 4-1. Although she faced challenges with her service, saving two break points, she maintained the advantage, then secured a third break in the set and ultimately closed the match 6-3, 6-1.
In the final, she will have to await the match between Elina Svitolina and Wang Xiyu. Gauff will seek to defend the Auckland title in what will be her last match before the start of the 2024 Australian Open, where she will be the third seed.