Merida Open Semifinals Preview: Top seed Emma Navarro remains favorite as qualifiers make an impact

The semifinals of the WTA 500 Merida Open are headlined by top seed Emma Navarro alongside several surprises, including two players outside the top 100. The matches will take place on the night of Saturday, March 1, at the Yucatan Country Club courts in Mexico.

The American world No. 10 will face Elina Avanesyan (No. 45), while the second semifinal will feature two players coming from qualifying: Daria Saville (No. 121) and Emiliana Arango (No. 133).

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Unexpected showdown between qualifiers

On Friday, during the quarterfinals, second seed Paula Badosa withdrew while facing qualifier Daria Saville due to a back injury. The Spaniard had been a top contender alongside Navarro, but Saville unexpectedly secured a spot in the semifinals.

The Australian had not reached a semifinal since the 2024 Hobart Open, where she fell to top seed Elise Mertens. The former world No. 20 has struggled in recent years to achieve consecutive wins, and Badosa's withdrawal extends Saville's strong week in Merida, where, coming from qualifying, she has defeated Ukrainians Marta Kostyuk (6th) and Anhelina Kalinina.

Daria Saville is at world No. 109 in the Live Ranking.

She will face Colombian Emiliana Arango, another surprise from qualifying. The 23-year-old player has defeated Maria Lourdes Carle, Francesca Jones, and Rebecca Sramkova on her way to her first WTA semifinal, guaranteeing her top-100 debut starting Monday, at least, as world No. 97.

It will be an open match between two players who were hardly expected to reach a WTA 500 semifinal at the start of the week. With no previous encounters, Saville's experience may be a key factor in the match. However, the Colombian has a strong baseline game and has been one of the crowd favorites this week in Merida.

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Navarro and Avanesyan clash for spot in the final

The match of the day will feature world No. 10 Emma Navarro, the tournament’s top seed and the only favorite to reach the semifinals. Badosa's withdrawal due to injury could clear the path for the American, who appears to be the overwhelming favorite to take the title. However, in a tournament full of surprises, Navarro still cannot consider herself the winner just yet.

Emma Navarro needs to reach at least the final to stay in the top-10

Navarro has already defeated Petra Martic (6-1, 6-2) and defending champion Zeynep Sonmez (6-4, 6-2). The American didn't seem to be in great form during the Middle East swing, but her run in Mexico has been a huge boost to her confidence. The American is under pressure to win if she wants to remain in the top 10, which could add extra pressure to the favorite.

She will face rising star Elina Avanesyan, a 22-year-old Armenian who has secured her first top-40 appearance. She has several big wins under her belt, including against Paula Badosa, Zheng Qinwen, and Ons Jabeur over the past year. Avanesyan will play her first WTA 500 semifinal after defeating Magdalena Frech, Jessica Bouzas Maneir, and Maya Joint along the way.

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