Emma Navarro, the 23-year-old American and No. 19 seed, has advanced to her first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open, defeating Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5. The victory guarantees Navarro at least $1 million in prize money.
Navarro, born in New York but raised in Charleston, thanked her father, billionaire financier Ben Navarro, for recognizing her potential early on. “He knew maybe I was a little bit ADHD or something to be sitting in a classroom or in a nine to five. He saw something in me from a young age,” Navarro said post-match.
The match on Arthur Ashe Stadium saw Navarro comfortably take the first set before Badosa surged to a 5-1 lead in the second. However, Navarro staged a remarkable comeback, winning six consecutive games to clinch the match.
Navarro’s path to the semi-final included a notable victory over defending champion Coco Gauff, who struggled with 19 double faults and 60 unforced errors in their match.
A former top college player for the Virginia Cavaliers and 2021 NCAA champion, she has quickly adapted to the professional tour. Her first tour-level match outside of wildcards was in May 2023, making her rapid rise to a Grand Slam semi-final particularly impressive.
Navarro’s playing style, characterized by a mix of spins and slices, has proven challenging for opponents. “After I got it back to 5-2 (in the second set), I kind of had an inkling that it might be two sets,” Navarro said, describing her mindset during the comeback.
The match was a contest between two New York-born players, with Badosa having lived in the city until age seven before moving to Barcelona.
Emma’s victory, sealed with a trademark drop shot, sets her up for a semi-final appearance and continues her remarkable run at the US Open.
