Gauff bombs out of US Open as Navarro reaches quarter-finals
Defending champion Coco Gauff crashed out of the US Open on Monday morning (AEST), with the world No.3 losing to compatriot Emma Navarro in the round of 16.
Gauff, who entered the tournament as an $8 chance to win back-to-back titles, struck an incredible 19 double faults as she fell to No.12-ranked Navarro.
It is the second time this year Gauff has lost to Navarro, with the 23-year-old also upsetting her at Wimbledon.
Tennis bookmakers have now moved Navarro to the fifth line of US Open betting.
The American is level with Paula Badosa on $13, with Aryna Sabalenka ($2.75), Iga Swiatek ($3.10), Jessica Pegula ($9.50) and Karolina Muchova ($12) ahead of her.
Loose day costs Gauff dearly
While Navarro played good, aggressive tennis, the dominant statistic was the number of errors from her opponent.
Not only did Gauff make 19 double faults, but she also hit a total of 60 unforced errors over the three sets.
The No.3 seed consistently sprayed the ball long in baseline exchanges, gifting points to Navarro with regularity.
She did make a brief comeback, winning the second set after Navarro had a brief lapse.
However, the errors did not go away, with Navarro closing the match out 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
“It’s pretty insane,” said Navarro after the match.
“I lost in the first round the last two years.
“Now to make the quarter-finals is pretty insane.
“It was tough losing the second set, I had chances.
“I was up 30-0 and 4-3, then had a bit of a lull there.
“But I regrouped, came into the third set with a fresh mind set, wanted to play aggressive tennis and I think I was able to do that.”
Following the victory, Navarro had kind words to say about Gauff, with whom she played doubles at the recent Paris Olympics.
“Coco is an amazing player, I have a ton of respect for her, I know she’s going to come back and win this one year,” she said.
Navarro will play Badosa next, with the winner booking their spot in the final four in New York.
