Emma Navarro stunned Coco Gauff at Wimbledon on Sunday to reach the quarter-final for the first time in her career.
The American beat the highest-ranked player still remaining in the draw with a performance that sent out a strong message.
Navarro will now face a challenge from Italian player Jasmine Paolini in the last eight, with a maiden Grand Slam title now surely in her sights.
After beating Gauff – the world’s number two – she explained afterwards what her opponent did that helped her massively on Sunday.
What Emma Navarro said about Coco Gauff after beating her at Wimbledon
This was quite a performance from Navarro who managed to beat Gauff for the first time at a major tournament.
The pair had only met once prior to Sunday and it appears that Navarro felt Gauff did something that helped her a lot.
She said in her press conference: “It’s definitely a bit of a confidence boost knowing that your game plan is doing what you wanted it to do.
“I don’t normally give the other side of the court too much energy, I keep it on my side of the court. But I guess seeing her frustrated and looking at her box and putting her arms in the air, it’s definitely a little bit of a confidence boost.
“It maybe give me a little bit of momentum and some energy that I needed.”
Navarro must now believe she can win Wimbledon
This would be a remarkable story and not since Serena Williams in 2016 has the United States had a Wimbledon winner.
Navarro is now flying the flag for America and she will be hoping to do what Gauff has never managed to achieve at SW19.
The match with Paolini looks absolutely massive. Whoever wins that one will face either Lulu Sun or Donna Vekic for a place in the final.
Navarro naturally has time on her side but given who she has defeated so far – and the way the draw has panned out – this feels like a huge opportunity.
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