Coco Gauff’s 2024 U.S. Open experience is one she would prefer to forget quickly. The defending champion was eliminated in the Round of 16 on Sunday, suffering a defeat against fellow American Emma Navarro, with scores of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Navarro started strong, taking the first set, and the second set proved to be closely contested. After breaking Gauff’s serve to lead 4-3, Navarro seemed in control. However, Gauff responded by breaking Navarro’s serve and then took the set to a decisive third set.
In the final set, Gauff initially gained momentum, winning the first game. However, Navarro quickly regained the upper hand, winning three consecutive games. The players exchanged wins, but Navarro eventually led 5-3 with Gauff serving. Unfortunately for Gauff, she struggled with her serve, accumulating three double faults, which aided Navarro in securing her place in the quarterfinals.
Throughout the match, Gauff recorded a total of 19 double faults, with 11 occurring in the final set. In frustration after her last double fault, she tossed her racket to the ground.
This marks Gauff’s second consecutive grand slam exit in the Round of 16 after having reached at least the semifinals in her previous three tournaments. Additionally, this is the sixth consecutive year that a reigning champion has failed to reach the quarterfinals, with the last champion to make it that far being Serena Williams in 2015.
Navarro is set to compete against Spain’s Paula Badosa on Tuesday. This marks Navarro’s second consecutive quarterfinal appearance in what has been a breakthrough year for the 23-year-old, who had previously never progressed past the second round of a grand slam until this season. She has reached at least the Round of 16 in every grand slam this year, with her top achievement being a quarterfinal finish at Wimbledon in July.