Emma Navarro is into her maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open after taking down Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5 as the awesome American continued her run in her home city.
Badosa reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career after Roland Garros 2021. There she lost in a very close match against the surprising Tamara Zidansek by 5-7, 6-4, 6-8. This time, at the US Open 2024, the result was not much different.
First set horrible for Badosa as Navarro capitilises
The match could not have started worse for Badosa. She received a break in her first service game after two double faults and could never get back on level terms. In the only moment that generated doubts to Emma Navarro, the American showed her cold blood and saved two break balls with 4-2 in favor. Moreover, in the next game, the world number 12 took advantage of the Spanish player's slump and took the set 6-2, finishing it off superbly.
The second set started in the same way as the first but with the roles reversed. This time it was Badosa who dominated and Navarro who made unforced errors. She started 3-0 up and got to a 5-2 lead but from there everything fell apart. The American began to come back and there was no stopping her. She won 17 of 18 points to take a 6-5 lead and give herself a chance to win the match.
Badosa had to hold back tears during the points but kept fighting without giving up. However, Navarro culminated an incredible comeback and sealed it 7-5 on the scoreboard in the first opportunity she had. She will now face either two-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka or Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng in the semifinals.
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