Emma Navarro and Frances Tiafoe Earn Serena Williams Praise
US Open
September 2, 2024
Emma Navarro won the battle of the American women at the US Open.
And Frances Tiafoe scored a huge victory over the Australian conqueror of Novak Djokovic, Alexei Popyrin.
Both these winning home-grown stars had already earned the admiration of the legendary Serena Williams, who was in the crowd at Flushing Meadows.
Emma Navarro had recently beaten Coco Gauff on the Grand Slam grass – and she will be a huge contender at Wimbledon 2025 too.
This time Navarro beat defending US Open champion Gauff 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Arthur Ashe. And Williams was able to explain what makes the 23-year-old special.
Serena said: ‘I like the variety in Emma’s game. I never was a variety player. Whenever I see someone like her who can slice the ball but also put a lot of spin on her forehand , I really admire that.
‘She can come in, she has great hands, and she does everything so well. She sees the court. She has a huge tennis IQ and I love that.’
Ironically Serena highlighted the very component of Coco’s game that eventually let her down. ‘I think she can really rely on her serve and her movement is great. I just love her mental toughness and her mental fortitude.’
But it’s hard to be tough when that serve deserts you in all the big moments. Coco fell victim to no fewer that nineteen double faults as the occasion got to her.
That extra pressure of being defending champion can create a heavy weight when you’re not used to it. Navarro only served up two double faults. She isn’t feeling the pressure at all.
Emma explained: ‘I think I’m on the radar. In my own head I’ll probably always be under the radar just because I don’t give social media and that kind of stuff too much attention.
‘I thought being on the radar would be more of a scary thing than it actually is. Now I think I’m here, it’s not so bad.’
Emma Navarro is on the radar alright. She will play her first US Open quarter-final against Paula Badosa – and we can’t wait to see her again at Wimbledon 2025.
Meanwhile Frances Tiafoe stifled a Popyrin fightback to win through 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3 and set up a mouth-watering quarter against the dangerous Grigor Dimitrov
And he too has been inspired by the supportive words of Serena. He explained: ‘She came and talked to me before the match. She told me she’s always following me no matter what.
‘She told me: “It’s so good to see now that I’m done. You’re the guy of colour playing and doing well.” Coming from her, that’s a loud sentence. I’m like: “Damn!”‘
The Americans are doing just great at the US Open. Taylor Fritz is another quarter-finalist after downing Casper Ruud. Fritz plays a man he beat at Wimbledon – Sascha Zverev. Jessica Pegula is still in the fight too.