9-time Olympics gold medalist & Paris 2024 superstar Katie Ledecky in attendance at US Open 2024 for USA teammate Emma Navarro's clash vs Paula Badosa
Emma Navarro's quarterfinal clash against Paula Badosa at the 2024 US Open had a major celebrity in attendance -- nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky. Ledecky, who won four medals at the recently concluded Paris Olympics (two gold, one silver and one bronze), met with Navarro during the 23-year-old's stint at the French Capital this year in her debut Games experience.
Navarro is one of two Americans in the women's singles quarterfinals at the US Open this fortnight, along with Jessica Pegula. The World No. 12 came into the clash after stunning defending champion and compatriot Coco Gauff in the fourth round in a three-set thriller.
Badosa, on the other hand, took down Taylor Townsend and Wang Yafan on her way to the last-eight, losing only one set along the way (in the third round against Elena-Gabriela Ruse).
On Tuesday, Navarro started off on the front foot, taking the opening set 6-2 as Ledecky looked on from the stands. However, Badosa bounced back in the second set, earning a double break of serve to go 5-1 up before Navarro rescued one back. In a shocking turn of fortunes, Navarro broke back again to make it 5-5 before producing a third break of serve to seal the set 7-5 and reach her maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
Emma Navarro to take on either Zheng Qinwen or Aryna Sabalenka in US Open semifinals
Following her win over Paula Badosa, Emma Navarro will take on either defending Australian Open champion or defending Olympics champion Zheng Qinwen in the semiifinals of the 2024 US Open. The duo lock horns in the quarterfinals in the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium later on Tuesday.
Should Navarro meet Zheng, it will be a rematch of their battle at the recently-concluded Paris Olympics, one that sparked a lot of controversy afterwards. Speaking after their heated encounter, Navarro told the press that she did not have any respect for the Chinese, saying that she was very 'cut-throat.'
"I just told her I didn't respect her as a competitor. I think she goes about things in a pretty cut-throat way. It makes for a locker room that doesn't have a lot of camaraderie, so it's tough to face an opponent like that, who I really don't respect," Navarro said.
Zheng Qinwen shot back in a more composed manner, responding to the accusations:
"It looks like she's not happy with my behavior towards her. If she's not happy about my behavior, she can come and tell me. I would like to correct it to become a better player and a better person. I'm glad that she told me that."
The head-to-head between the duo is 2-0 in favor of Zheng. Against Sabalenka, Navarro is tied 1-1 in the head-to-head.