Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro continue to feed the anticipation of American success that hovers around Flushing Meadows this year.
Coco Gauff was Team USA’s flag bearer at the Paris Olympics, but it is Pegula and Navarro who are flying their country’s flag in New York as the only two women left in the US Open draw.
On Sunday Navarro advanced to the quarter-finals after producing another stellar performance to defeat compatiot Gauff for the second time in as many months.
This turn of events has paved the way for Pegula to reclaim her spot as the country’s leading woman in the WTA rankings.
The 30-year-old appears to be back to her blistering best on the North American hard courts, surging into the quarter-finals of the US Open after registering an imposing 13-1 win-loss record in the past month.
Jessica Pegula makes prediction over Emma Navarro
Emma Navarro has enjoyed her most successful season on the tour this year since becoming NCAA champion in 2021.
The 23-year-old won her maiden WTA title in Hobart and has been able to back it up by reaching back-to-back grand slam quarter-finals at Wimbledon and now the US Open.
Despite being unable to meet until the championship match, Jessica Pegula was asked to reflect on her compatriot’s inspiring rise to the top.
“I love Emma so much, she’s hilarious,” Pegula said in a press conference. “Obviously her and Coco had a tough match [but] either way, I think Emma’s been playing some really good tennis.
“She’s really, really good, a great athlete, mentally stable and she’s only going to get better. I think she’s going to be a threat for the next ten years, or however long she plays, to definitely be a slam contender.
“Obviously I know she’s had an amazing year this year and we’ll see how she handles the next couple years to come as well as being a top player. I’m not really surprised. I feel like she’s improved so much and at the start of the year I was like ‘Wow, she’s actually going to be a serious threat’.
“I think mentally she has just shown that she’s super tough and she doesn’t let a lot of things bother her. It’s nice to see her in the quarters – I’m not really that surprised. I feel like she’s one of the hottest players on tour right now.”
Can Navarro win the US Open?
Navarro’s red-hot rise has not ceased to gain pace over the year, and her appearance in the quarters in New York will see her break into the top 10 for the first time.
Another strong test awaits in the form of ex-number two Paula Badosa, but the American will fancy her chances of backing up the momentum gained from her win over Coco Gauff.
While the eyes were largely on reigning champion Gauff and current world number two Aryna Sabalenka heading into the tournament, the likes of Navarro and Beatriz Haddad Maia have been able to pounce.
Naturally, there is danger at every corner in the last eight, but Navarro will relish a potential semi-final clash with Sabalenka, over whom she got the better of in Indian Wells this year.
It remains a tall order but Navarro might just be peaking at the perfect time to cause a stir at her native slam.
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