THREE Americans are in the mix, including Emma Navarro, as the US Open enters the business end of the tournament on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) with the first set of quarterfinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
With former champions Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz exiting early, the men’s draw was blown wide open, and Americans Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz will fancy their chances.
Women’s second seed Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka will have her work cut out when she takes on China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen while Navarro will hope to continue her dream run having knocked out defending champion Coco Gauff.
Paula Badosa may be flying the Spanish flag but she was born in New York, as was her quarterfinal opponent Navarro whose aggressive and confident approach helped her stun Gauff in the fourth round.
Badosa has been on a commendable run after her return from injury, with her back finally responding well enough for her to win a first title in two years in the US swing before battling her way to the quarterfinals, earning a first match on Ashe.
“I had the talent, and I knew I could get back to the top. I just needed my physical part to respond. The mental (part) and the tennis was there,” she said.
“So, it’s finally working really well these couple of months. I think the work is paying off.”
Navarro passed her debut on Ashe with flying colors to oust Gauff and will now get another opportunity to compete in the arena as the 13th seed seeks her first Grand Slam semifinal.
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“We played each other in Rome earlier this year on clay. She beat me there. But I think it’s definitely valuable to have played on Ashe once. I hope to have the American fans behind me,” she said.
