Coco Gauff’s run as the US Open champion came to an end when Emma Navarro defeated her for the second successive Grand Slam.
The American duo have played some good matches this year but Navarro keeps getting the better of her counterpart from the United States.
Gauff did manage to take the match to three sets at Flushing Meadows after losing in straight sets at Wimbledon earlier this year.
This defeat to Navarro will sting, however, given that Gauff was the defending champion and it means a second straight fourth-round defeat in the Grand Slam events.
What Coco Gauff has said about Emma Navarro after US Open defeat
At 20-years-old, Gauff has a very mature head on her shoulders and she has spoken very well after this latest defeat.
Clearly, she has a lot of respect for her compatriot and will be rooting for her against Paula Badosa in the quarter-final.
Gauff also thinks she knows why she lost against Navarro for a second successive Grand Slam.
The youngster said in her press conference on YouTube: “She played me similar to how she played me at Wimbledon. The difference between Wimbledon and today was that I was just mentally better, that’s why I got to the third set.
“But I think in future I have to take care of my serve. She is a great returner. I think she does a great job of redirecting, she is an all-court player, she can do everything. I don’t think she changed how she played me from Wimbledon to now. I think, for me, it was all on my end of the court.
“Obviously she is a great player and as a person, she is super nice girl. She is really funny. She is kind of the opposite to how she is on court, she has a lot of personality but doesn’t show it as much to you guys.
“She’s super nice and I always root for her and if you are to lose, I would rather lose to a good person off the court.”
Back to the drawing board for Gauff ahead of 2025
There are the tour finals for Gauff to look forward to but as for the second half of 2024, it’s not really gone according to plan.
Two fourth-round exits at Wimbledon and the US Open simply won’t do and she will want to rediscover the form shown in the first half of 2024 when next year gets underway.
Gauff is always very open and honest about her game and that’s not been any different following her defeat to Navarro.
The player clearly has talent and in the modern era things are extremely open in the female game and any lapse in form will be pounced upon.
Gauff will now be rooting for Navarro and it will be fascinating to see if she can go all the way and claim a maiden Grand Slam crown this week.
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