Emma Navarro was clear on which player she thinks will win the Wimbledon Championships.
The American was in great form and it was going to take a special performance to end her hopes of lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish this year.
That is exactly what came to pass as Jasmine Paolini dominated Tuesday’s quarter-final encounter against the 19th seed.
The 23-year-old had no answer for the Italian’s superb shot-making and consistency, as she won just three games in her first appearance in the last eight at a Grand Slam.
Emma Navarro predicts which WTA player will win Wimbledon
Paolini blasted 19 winners to just six from Navarro and won 16 of 17 points at the net as she cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
The World number seven saved all four break points that she faced and broke her opponent’s serve five times in total.
She claimed her first win against the American at the fourth attempt and her flawless display leads the World number 17 to suggest that Paolini will become the first Italian woman to win Wimbledon.
“I think if Jasmine plays like she did today she has a really good shot,” Navarro told reporters during her post-match press conference.
Jasmine Paolini is feeling confident on grass after beating Emma Navarro at Wimbledon
Paolini had not won a match in the main draw of Wimbledon before the 2024 season.
But she is in the middle of her best year on tour, which included reaching the French Open final in June. Since then, she made it to the Eastbourne semi-finals and is enjoying her best run at the All-England Club.
Paolini has the chance to become the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the Roland Garors and Wimbledon final in the same season.
Ahead of her last four clash against Donna Vekic, Paolini said: “I was watching finals when I was a kid on this court. It’s strange to be here and to get the win, and to be in the semifinal in Wimbledon. I feel so happy.”
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