Emma Navarro shocks Coco Gauff in Wimbledon stunner, reaches first Slam quarterfinal

Emma Navarro scored the biggest Grand Slam victory of her young career at Wimbledon Sunday evening, stunning world No. 2 Coco Gauff, 6-4, 6-3 to reach her first major quarterfinal.

The 19th-seeded American is in the midst of a breakthrough season and already defeated former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka en route to a second consecutive Grand Slam second week. Taking on the reigning US Open champion, Navarro rallied from an early break down to win in one hour and 14 minutes on Centre Court.

Gauff had made quick work of her draw through the first week, dropping a mere 10 games in three matches against Caroline Dolehide, Anca Todoni, and Great Britain’s own Sonay Kartal. In the latter, Gauff reeled off the final eight games to reach the fourth round at the All England Club for the first time since her breakout run as a teenager in 2019.

The American famously fell in the first round of Wimbledon last year, spurring her into a career-best stretch that culminated with a maiden major victory and a newfound consistency on the Grand Slam stage, reaching the semifinals or better in her last three appearances.

Just three years older than Gauff, Navarro watched much of her countrywoman’s rise from the college ecosystem, winning the NCAA Singles Championship in 2021 playing for the University of Virginia. She made the transition onto the pro circuit in earnest last year, winning two ITF 100K titles to finish the year ranked inside the Top 40.

She only continued rising up the rankings in 2024, reaching her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal with a win over then-No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at the BNP Paribas Open, and clinched a berth on the U.S. Olympic team by reaching the fourth round of Roland Garros.

Playing only her second Wimbledon main draw, Navarro went through a tricky field in the first week, taking out former No. 12 Wang Qiang before defeating Osaka in straight sets. Backing up the win, she snapped Bad Homburg Open champion Diana Shnaider’s seven-match winning streak to book her second meeting with Gauff of the season.

Navarro lost in straight sets to her fellow American when they faced off at the ASB Classic in January, but Navarro proved more adaptable to the indoor grass conditions as the third match on Centre, emerging from an exchange of breaks with a lead she never let out of sight, breaking Gauff a second time to clinch the opening set.

Gauff grew increasingly frustrated as her more combustible forehand wing erred often in the second set, handing Navarro the chance to serve out the match.

Though Gauff saved two match points, Navarro held firm and forced one last forehand error from the 20-year-old, who exchanged a warm hug with her childhood friend at the net.

In the end, Navarro played far steadier tennis, striking 16 unforced errors to 25 from Gauff, who was serving at just 56% for the match.

Navarro, who is projected to make a Top 15 debut following the conclusion of the fortnight, will next face No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini, who was tied 5-5 in the final set against Madison Keys before the American was forced to retire due to a left leg injury.