Having come through a relatively comfortable draw at Wimbledon this year, Coco Gauff aims to defeat Emma Navarro in this all-American fourth-round match on Sunday as both women seek a first quarter-final appearance at the Championships.
The No. 19 seed has had a strong tournament, including a comfortable victory over four-time Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the second round before winning in three sets against Diana Shnaider in round three to set up a match-up with the No. 2 seed.
Match preview
© Reuters
Navarro's first taste of Wimbledon last year ended in a debut defeat, but the 23-year-old has learnt from that short-lived experience to make this year's fourth round.
A look at the 23-year-old's performance at Slams shows an undoubted improvement on last year, where she exited in the second round of the French Open before losing first-round matches at the Championships and on home soil in Slams three and four.
However, this year's debut in Australia saw Navarro reach the third round Down Under and advance to the fourth in Paris before doing likewise on the lawns of SW19.
Now, she aims for a first victory over Gauff to upset America's top-ranked women's player and reach her first-ever quarter-final at a major.
The No. 2 seed enters her latest match keen to extend her winning run having banished the memories of last year's first-round exit to Sofia Kenin.
While many will point to Gauff facing opponents who came through qualifying in rounds two and three, it is not lost on anyone that a similar opponent stunned her in the opening round circa 12 months ago.
She has done admirably to eliminate an aggressive shot-maker Anca Todoni and a home prospect, coming through both matches without breaking a sweat.
With world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and runner-up in the last two years Ons Jabeur exiting on Saturday, the 2023 US Open champion is not only the highest-ranked player left on both sides of the women's draw but also avoids facing a motivated Jabeur despite her superiority over the Tunisian.
Observers believe Emma Raducanu poses the greatest threat to the world No. 2 making this year's final, but Gauff will be taking it one match at a time at the Championships as she aims to advance to her first-ever last-eight match at SW19.
Tournament so far
Emma Navarro:
First round: vs. Wang Qiang 6-0 6-2
Second round: vs. Naomi Osaka 6-4 6-1
Third round: vs. Diana Shnaider 2-6 6-3 6-4
Coco Gauff:
First round: vs. Caroline Dolehide 6-1 6-2
Second round: vs. Anca Todoni 6-2 6-1
Third round: vs. Sonay Kartal 6-4 6-0
Head To Head
Auckland (2024) - Semi-final: Gauff 6-3 6-1
Gauff came out on top in the pair's only ever meeting on the women's tour, with that match coming in Auckland earlier this year.
A repeat of the straight-sets January win over her compatriot will be welcome, even if Navarro will point to her performance at the majors since as proof of her improvement. She also notched a thrilling win over Aussie Open champion Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells, her second win over a top-10 opponent, and she aims for a third against her countrywoman.
We say: Gauff to win in three sets
Despite clinching every match without dropping a set at the Championships, an all-American match against a developing and motivated opponent should pose problems for Gauff.
The No. 2 seed may be forced into a decider this time, but her wealth of experience and improved know-how on the big points should carry into a first quarter-final at the All England Club.
