Emerging rival ends Coco Gauff's U.S. Open title defense

Coco Gauff's dreams of winning back-to-back U.S. Open titles ended on Sunday at the hands of a budding rival.

For the second time this year, fellow American Emma Navarro knocked Gauff out of a Grand Slam tournament. In the fourth round at Arthur Asche Stadium, she made quick work of the reigning champion, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Amid a breakout season, Navarro was calm, relaxed, collected and (best yet) consistent on the big stage en route to a quarterfinals berth. On the other side of the court, Gauff looked off-balance most of the match, unable to keep up while playing mistake-riddled tennis.

Gauff had trouble with her serve for large portions of the match, committing 11 double faults (19 overall) in the third set alone. She also made 60 unforced errors, 22 in the deciding set.

Navarro has now beaten Gauff in back-to-back Grand Slam meetings. On July 7, she upset the defending U.S. Open champion (6-4, 6-3) in the fourth round at Wimbledon .

For Gauff, a near-year-long slump continues .

After losing at Wimbledon, Gauff fell in the third round at the 2024 Paris Olympics in a controversial fashion , followed by early exits in the National Bank Open, Cincinnati Open and now the U.S. Open. The 20-year-old has won only one tournament this year, the ASB Classic in January, boasting a 36-13 singles record.

Navarro's star, meanwhile, continues to rise, as with Sunday's result she improved to 45-19 on the year. Along with winning the Hobart International title, the 23-year-old has advanced to the quarterfinals or deeper in 11-of-21 tournaments this year.

Navarro will match up against No. 26 Paula Badosa on Sept. 3 for the right to play in the U.S. Open semifinals.