Defending champion Coco Gauff has been eliminated from the US Open after a nightmarish performance against Emma Navarro, losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Unfortunately, Gauff hit more double faults (19) than winners (14).
It is the second Grand Slam in a row, after Wimbledon, in which Gauff loses to Navarro.
This was a scrappy match and hard to watch at times. Navarro won’t win many matches where she makes 20 winners and 35 unforced errors; those are bad numbers, but Gauff’s were catastrophic: 14 winners and 60 unforced errors.
Navarro, born in New York City, continues her campaign on Tuesday against Spain’s Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals.
As for Gauff, a bad year in the majors is over and she simply needs to improve her second serve if she wants to return to the winner’s circle. Before this match, she led the tour in double faults this season, with 296.
Defending champion Coco Gauff has been knocked out of the US Open after a nightmarish performance
Gauff lost to Emma Navarro, which also caused her exit from Wimbledon
This match took her well over 300. Of the other eight best players in the world, no one has hit more than 200 doubles this year and only Aryna Sabalenka has more than 150.
There seems to be a lack of fluidity in Gauff’s service action. There is a fraction of a pause after the throw, which allows the ball to drop and she gets into the swing instead of hitting it up.
At 2-3 in the first set, Gauff served consecutive double faults from 15-30 to concede the break. Another double fault at 3-3 in the second set gave Navarro a break point and she slid a forehand winner down the line.
Gauff responded superbly, winning 14 of the next 16 points. But again, at 1-1 in the deciding game, she hit three double faults in four points to force a break down.
Navarro emerged victorious on Sunday as Gauff lost the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
Gauff hit more double faults (19) than winners (14) in the disappointing display
Navarro will face Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals of the US Open on Tuesday
A second comeback from Gauff failed to materialise as Navarro held her nerve and her serve.
At 23, Navarro is three years older than Gauff, but in tennis terms she is far less experienced. While Gauff made her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon at age 15, this is only Navarro’s second season on the WTA tour. She played collegiate tennis for the Virginia Cavaliers, where she won the NCAA singles title in 2021.
Her rise up the rankings has been rapid and she has a wonderfully complete and versatile game. Navarro seems to have an excellent temperament and a high tennis IQ.
She seems to have a clear advantage in this match and that could cause problems for Gauff in the years to come.
