Gauff Struggles with Serve
Defending champion Coco Gauff was eliminated from the U.S. Open in the fourth round on Sunday, falling to fellow American Emma Navarro with scores of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Gauff faced significant difficulties with her serve throughout the match, committing 19 double-faults, which overshadowed her 14 winners. This defeat adds to a series of early exits in recent tournaments, including the Paris Olympics.
Despite a strong four-game streak in the second set, Gauff was unable to maintain momentum as Navarro, the 13th seed and 2021 NCAA singles champion, regained control and secured the win with remarkable composure.
With Gauff’s exit, the U.S. Open will see a new women’s champion, continuing the trend of no back-to-back winners since Serena Williams secured consecutive titles from 2012 to 2014. The men’s side also saw an early exit from defending champion Novak Djokovic, reinforcing the unpredictability of this year’s tournament.
Other Key Matches and Upcoming Fixtures
In other action, Frances Tiafoe advanced to his third consecutive quarterfinal with a victory over Alexei Popyrin, while Taylor Fritz defeated Casper Ruud to progress further.
Emma Navarro will now face No. 26 seed Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals, while Aryna Sabalenka takes on Zheng Qinwen in another high-stakes match.
Despite the setback, Coco Gauff remains positive, reflecting on her journey and staying focused on future opportunities. Tennis fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching her next moves as she looks to bounce back stronger.
