Emma Navarro had a successful season so far and recently defeated the Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka, with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, advancing to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Navarro, who achieved her first WTA championship in Hobart this year, managed to defeat the second-ranked player in a competitive match that lasted 1 hour and 56 minutes.
Navarro was able to secure her 18th victory of the season with the help of two breaks in the decider. This puts her at the top of the list for most WTA wins in 2024, surpassing Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka was the runner-up in Indian Wells 12 months ago and entered this match fresh from a solid win against Emma Raducanu, but she has struggled for form since her latest victory in Melbourne.
Navarro took control in the first set with a crucial break to go up 5-3. A powerful serve then secured the set for the 22-year-old American, giving her the upper hand.
The player who has won the Australian Open twice, made a comeback in the second set which resulted in a decider, where both players earned breaks early on.
Navarro continued her momentum from three straight breaks to secure a pivotal hold and take a commanding 4-1 lead. She maintained control and went on to claim the biggest victory of her career.
On her 20th birthday, Coco Gauff delivered an impressive performance, defeating Elise Mertens with a score of 6-0, 6-2 and securing a spot in the quarter-finals. The talented American showed her skills on the court, using strong serves and an aggressive playing style to overpower the 24th seeded Belgian opponent.
Mertens could not replicate her victory over Naomi Osaka in the previous match, only hitting four winners while making 21 unforced errors. The match lasted just over an hour.
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Gauff, seeded third, had an opportunity in her draw after Sabalenka lost. She will play against either Kasatkina, seeded 11th and from Russia, or Yuan Yue from China, who is not seeded, for a chance to advance to the semi-finals.
Nardi, ranked No. 123 in the world, suffered a straight-sets defeat to Tommy Paul, bringing him back to reality. Despite his stunning victory over Novak Djokovic in the previous round, Nardi was unable to replicate his performance and was defeated 6-4, 6-3 by the American.
