NEW DELHI: American tennis player Emma Navarro achieved a career milestone by stunning world number two Aryna Sabalenka to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time on Wednesday, while Coco Gauff marked her birthday with a dominant performance.
Navarro, facing Sabalenka's formidable serve, capitalized on four of her five break-point opportunities to secure a hard-fought victory over the two-time Australian Open champion in windy conditions.
Despite Sabalenka's resurgence in the second set, Navarro maintained her composure, securing crucial points to clinch the match and set up a quarter-final clash with Maria Sakkari.
Expressing her subdued emotions after the win, Navarro admitted feeling uncomfortable in the spotlight but acknowledged her growing confidence. With this win, Navarro is set to break into the top 20 rankings for the first time.
Sabalenka praised Navarro's potential, acknowledging her capability to reach the top 10, while Gauff celebrated her 20th birthday in style with a commanding victory over Elise Mertens. Gauff's impressive performance secured her spot in the quarter-finals, where she will face unseeded Yuan Yue of China, who staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Daria Kasatkina.
Gauff's victory, coupled with Sabalenka's defeat, opens up possibilities in the tournament draw, providing an opportunity for the dynamic American to further assert her dominance in the competition.
(With inputs from Reuters)
