MATCH REPORT | 2024 US Open: Coco Gauff’s reign ends as Emma Navarro pounces on 19 double faults for maiden Quarter-Final berth

Emma Navarro eliminated the defending champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals of the US Open. The world No. 3 had an inconsistent performance, committing 18 double faults that cost her elimination in the fourth round, which will drop her out of the top 5 once the tournament ends.

This is the second consecutive Grand Slam where Navarro has reached the last eight, making her a strong title contender. The 23-year-old currently appears as world No. 10 in the live rankings.

Navarro (No. 12) showed her determination from the start, putting Gauff (No. 3) under pressure with several break opportunities and took the lead in the sixth game when Gauff's errors and double faults began, making it 4-2. After a complicated game, Gauff raised her level to hold her serve (5-3), but it was of little use as Navarro didn't falter on her serve and won the set 6-4.

Despite the crowd favoring Gauff, Navarro caught their attention and received ample support from the local fans. She was impeccable with a 76% first serve, winning 77% of them, compared to Gauff's 50% first serve, winning 71% of them. Additionally, Gauff had five double faults, several of them at crucial moments, while Navarro had none.

In the second set, Navarro showed some inaccuracies but quickly regained her form. Gauff gradually tried to rally the crowd when she won points, while Navarro maintained her usual calm and focus, breaking Gauff in the seventh game. Navarro showed nerves and gave Gauff three break opportunities, which Gauff capitalized on to equalize at 4-4 after a Navarro double fault.

It wasn't the only break, as Gauff won three consecutive games (two of them breaks) and began to stage a comeback by winning the set 6-4, dominating the end of the set.

In the third set, the pressure on Gauff was evident, as she had an incredible 11 double faults in the set. The American No. 1 conceded a break due to double faults, and Navarro took a 3-1 lead. Gauff spent the last minutes of the match dealing with unforced errors and constant double faults, though she found inspiration to keep the deficit to just one break.

After one final changeover, Navarro secured the victory 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open for the first time in her career. She will face the 26th seed Paula Badosa, who achieved a straightforward victory against China's Yafan Wang (No. 80) 6-1, 6-2.