Unforgettable performance: Emma NAVARRO makes waves, defeating Aryna SABALENKA at Indian Wells

Emma Navarro continues her incredible performance, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of Indian Wells. The 22-year-old tennis player reaches the top 8 of a WTA 1000 for the first time and achieves the best triumph of her career against the world No. 2.

The first set was evenly contested, with Navarro having a 64% first-service rate, winning 70% of the points, against Sabalenka's 50%, who was effective with an 80% success rate on first-service points.

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Without offering much resistance, neither managed to create break opportunities in the first seven games. With the score 4-3 in favor of Navarro, the first break opportunity came for the American, who seized it and secured the set on her first set point with a 6-3 score.

With the advantage for the world No. 23, Sabalenka did not falter and earned two break opportunities in the fourth game. Quickly, from her service, Sabalenka took a 4-1 lead. Navarro couldn't do much on the return, winning only 17% of the points with Sabalenka's first service, who eventually claimed the second set 6-3.

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The decisive set started in favor of the local player, who took the first break and led 2-0. Although Sabalenka broke back, she lost her service for the second consecutive time, and Navarro was ahead 4-2 with the service in her favor. The 2-times Grand Slam champion couldn't do anything to come back in the match and ended up defeated by an impeccable Navarro, who advances with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory.

In the quarterfinals, she will face the winner between the 9th seed Maria Sakkari and Diane Parry (No. 61).

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