As the US Open progresses to the quarterfinal stage, three American players, including Emma Navarro, are in contention for a place in the semifinals. With the unexpected early exits of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, the men’s draw has opened up significantly, offering Americans Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz a chance to advance further. On the women’s side, second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus will face China's Zheng Qinwen, while Navarro will look to build on her impressive performance against defending champion Coco Gauff.
Paula Badosa, who will face Navarro, is a Spanish player born in New York, and she is also making strides after returning from injury. Badosa’s recovery has seen her win a title in the US swing and reach the quarterfinals, where she will play her first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium this tournament. She noted that her physical fitness has improved, complementing her already strong mental and tennis skills.
Navarro, the 13th seed, impressed with her performance against Gauff, marking a successful debut on Ashe. She will have another chance to compete in this iconic venue against Badosa, aiming for her first Grand Slam semifinal. Reflecting on their previous encounter in Rome, Navarro hopes that playing on Ashe and having support from American fans will give her an edge.
In the men’s draw, Grigor Dimitrov, who reached the quarterfinals in 2019, will face Frances Tiafoe. Dimitrov survived a tough five-set match against Andrey Rublev in the last 16 and relies on his experience for crucial moments. Tiafoe, who has improved significantly since hiring coach David Witt, is excited about his recent form and the support of his team, believing that having the right people around him has been key to his success.
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