At Wimbledon on Sunday, world No. 2 Coco Gauff was eliminated in the fourth round by 23-year-old American Emma Navarro. The match, played on Centre Court, saw Navarro defeat Gauff in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, ending the U.S. Open champion’s hopes for a deep run at the All England Club.
Coco Gauff, who had been considered a favorite for the title, especially after the early exits of other top seeds, struggled to find her rhythm against Navarro’s composed and tactical play. The match highlighted Gauff’s difficulties, particularly in the second set, where she visibly grappled with her serve and engaged in tense exchanges with her coach, Brad Gilbert.
“Today, mentally, there was a lot going on,” Gauff admitted in her post-match interview. “I felt like I wanted more direction from the box.”
This mental struggle was evident on court, as she appeared frustrated and unable to implement effective strategies against her opponent’s steady game. Navarro, who previously eliminated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, employed a clever game plan. She effectively used her backhand slice to target Gauff’s forehand, a shot that has occasionally been problematic for the young star in pressure situations.
This loss is a significant setback for Coci Gauff, who had reached at least the semifinals in the last three Grand Slams. It is also a missed opportunity, given the favorable draw she had enjoyed in the early rounds of the tournament.
Despite the disappointment, Gauff demonstrated sportsmanship, embracing her longtime acquaintance Navarro at the net after the match.
Now Navarro will be facing seventh-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals.
