Emma Navarro was perfectly convinced that she would triumph over Paula Badosa in two straight sets at the US Open Quarter-final. This assertion was evident in her 6-2, 7-5 victory over the Spaniard, reinforcing her fourth-round triumph over reigning victor Coco Gauff. This marked her maiden grand slam semi-final debut.
When Badosa advanced with a 5-1 lead in the second set, the match seemed poised for a final set. However, Navarro anticipated that her opponent would falter and managed to secure 24 of the match’s final 28 points in a spirited comeback.
Navarro felt Badosa’s lack of complete confidence, despite her leading 5-1, suggesting that if she pushed back and forced Badosa to second guess her service game, she could claw her way back into the match. Navarro further expressed her confidence by stating that she did not envision herself playing a third set. Instead, she was sure of her capability to bounce back and clinch the match in two sets.
Badosa, who is recovering from a serious back injury, candidly referred to her performance as a “calamity”. She insinuated the magnitude of the event overwhelmed her. Badosa conceded that Navarro’s handling of the situation was exemplary unlike hers that was a complete mess. She implied that if the tournament wasn’t as prestigious, she would’ve performed well. She conveyed her disappointment at not effectively managing the situation and lamented the four-month wait for the next grand slam.
In her upcoming match, Navarro is pitted against either favourite Aryna Sabalenka or Olympic gold medallist Qinwen Zheng, with whom she clashed previously in Paris. – PA