US Open 2024: Emma Navarro beats Paula Badosa to reach semi-finals - 'I'm ready to rock and not scared'

Emma Navarro made clear her ambitions at the US Open after an impressive win over Paula Badosa saw her advance to the semi-finals. The American, backed by a loud home crowd, got the better of Badosa despite the 13th seed's resurgence in a dramatic second set. Navarro, very much the rising star of the tournament, will now have the opportunity to play for a place in the final at Flushing Meadows.

Highlights: Home favourites Navarro and Fritz reach US Open semi-finals

Video credit: SNTV

Emma Navarro sent a warning to her US Open rivals after reaching the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows with an impressive win over Paula Badosa.

It was the latest landmark victory for the 23-year-old American, who will play in the last four of the Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

Navarro was on top form with the backing of a vocal US crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

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She will face either Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus or China's Zheng Qinwen in the semi-final, with a place on the biggest stage up for grabs.

It is the furthest Navarro has ever progressed in a Grand Slam, although she did make it to the Wimbledon quarter-finals in July before losing to Jasmine Paolini.

“I’m really happy with my performance today - it’s crazy to be moving onto the semi-finals!” Navarro said on the court after beating Badosa.

‘Didn’t treat me or the sport with respect’ – Navarro opens up on heated moment with Zheng in Paris

Video credit: SNTV

“Maybe at Wimbledon I talked myself into some emotions that I didn’t necessarily need to feel being in the quarter-finals of a grand slam.

“Coming out on the court today felt much more comfortable. I was ready to rock, and I’m at the point of my career where I’m not scared of any result or making a run in any tournament.”

Navarro’s confidence was clear on the court, and she was buoyed by the vociferous backing of the home crowd.

That seemed to unnerve Badosa, who made two double faults in her first service game and allowed Navarro to break early on.

The tone was set for a first set which the American dominated, capitalising on any errors her opponent made and producing some clinical tennis to race clear.

Two more double faults late in the set from Badosa helped Navarro quickly wrap things up. She took the opening set 6-2 and things looked worrying for the Spaniard.

But the world No. 13 hit back in the second set, regaining her composure and powering into a 5-1 lead. At that point, the match looked almost certain to be heading towards a third and decisive set.

Navarro, though, had other ideas. She rallied superbly, winning six games in a row to take the second set 7-5 as Badosa crumbled.

“After I got it back to 5-2 I had a bit of an inkling that it might be two sets, and I just wanted to stay really tough and stick in there,” Navarro said.

“Even if I did lose the second set I wanted to set the tone for the third set.”

No third set was required, and Navarro advanced in style to set up a match against the winner of the quarter-final between Zheng and Sabalenka, the latter being the second seed and among the tournament favourites.

“I’ve played both of them a couple of times and they’re both great players, but I’ll be up for the challenge of either,” Navarro added.

“They’re both big servers, bit hitters, they’ll come aggressively at me, but I’ll be ready.”

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