In a stunning upset at Centre Court, Emma Navarro defeated Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3, marking a significant milestone in her career as she advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. The match was a testament to Navarro’s skill and strategy, which left Gauff struggling and looking to her guest box for guidance throughout the game. Despite the support from her coach Brad Gilbert, who frequently stood up and gestured advice, Gauff was unable to find a solution to Navarro’s relentless play.
This loss continues Gauff’s challenging history at Wimbledon, where she has yet to progress beyond the fourth round. Her latest exit on Sunday adds to a series of surprising departures among top women players this year, with No. 1 Iga Swiatek, No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka, and No. 6 Marketa Vondrousova also bowing out earlier in the tournament. With only two of the top ten seeded women remaining, 2022 champion Elena Rybakina and recent French Open runner-up Jasmine Paolini, the competition is wide open.
Navarro’s performance was a clear demonstration of her capabilities, especially evident in her second-round victory over four-time major champion Naomi Osaka. Her upcoming quarterfinal match against Paolini, who advanced after Madison Keys retired due to injury, promises to be another thrilling contest.
For Gauff, this loss is another chapter in her Wimbledon journey. Despite her early breakthrough at age 15 when she became the youngest qualifier in tournament history and defeated Venus Williams, she has not been able to surpass the fourth round since. Her Wimbledon record now includes a fourth-round exit in 2021, a third-round loss in 2022, and a first-round departure in 2023.
Sunday’s match highlighted Gauff’s ongoing struggle with her forehand, a known weakness that Navarro exploited effectively. Gauff’s 25 unforced errors, more than twice the number of her winners, were largely due to her faltering forehand. Navarro’s consistent targeting of this side resulted in 16 unforced errors and 16 forced errors from Gauff, accounting for a significant portion of Navarro’s 61 total points.
As Navarro moves forward in the tournament, her stunning performance against Gauff will be remembered as a pivotal moment. For Gauff, the focus will shift to addressing the weaknesses in her game and preparing for future opportunities to break through at Wimbledon.