Key Takeaways
- Emma Navarro advanced to the US Open quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-2 fourth-round victory over Anna Kalinskaya.
- Navarro enjoyed playing late on Arthur Ashe Stadium, declaring: “It feels good to be back on Ash.”
- Addressing her composed demeanor, Navarro said: “I definitely get my oncourt personality from my mom.”
Return to Arthur Ashe Stadium inspires Navarro in fourth-round win
American star Emma Navarro secured her spot in the US Open quarterfinals with a decisive 6-4, 6-2 victory against Anna Kalinskaya in New York. The fourth-round clash tested both competitors early, but Navarro took control to defeat an opponent she had previously never beaten on tour.
Stepping out under the bright lights in front of an energetic evening crowd, Navarro relished the chance to compete inside Arthur Ashe Stadium once again. “It feels good to be back on Ash,” Navarro said during her on-court interview following the victory. “It’s been a couple years and I’ve missed it a ton.” Expressing her appreciation for the fans who stayed through the late hours, she added, “I love playing out here and thank you guys for staying late tonight. We’re working the night shift tonight.”
Finding the edge against Kalinskaya
The opening set proved to be a tightly contested affair before Navarro established momentum. Reflecting on how she turned the tide after previous struggles in the matchup, Navarro highlighted key adjustments on both sides of the net. “Yeah, I think maybe I served a little bit better and maybe she didn’t serve as well as she has in the past,” she analyzed.
Navarro acknowledged that early inroads on her opponent’s delivery were difficult to come by. “First set was kind of neck and neck,” Navarro explained. “Had some trouble getting some headway against her serve, but got it when I needed to and then yeah, felt pretty comfortable there in the second set.” Once she broke through late in the opener, Navarro cruised through the remainder of the contest to seal her straight-sets triumph.
A calm demeanor borrowed from family
Known for her composed on-court temperament during high-stakes moments, Navarro shared lighthearted insight into where her demeanor comes from. She attributed her steady presence entirely to her mother, contrasting it with her father’s tense spectator habits in the player’s box. “Yeah, I definitely have my calmness for my mom,” Navarro smiled.
Describing the scene in her box, Navarro joked about how animated her father gets while following her matches. “We make fun of my dad because he’s up there flinching, moving all around. I think I can hear his feet at some points when I’m hitting the ball,” she revealed. Despite the nervous energy, she readily understands the emotion having watched family members compete herself. “He’s always been that way and I know how it feels cuz I do the same thing watching my sister play,” Navarro said, concluding, “It’s understandable, but I definitely get my oncourt personality from my mom.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8BIhjwKpFg
WTA U.S. Open - Emma Navarro's projected path
Navarro at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2026
Now the world no.27, Navarro achieved a composed 26-19 win-loss record in 2026. The American is participating at the U.S. Open where she toppled the world no.237 Lois Boisson 7-6(6) 6-7(1) 6-3, the world no.65 Caty McNally 3-6 6-2 6-3, the world no.7 Karolina Muchova 6-3 7-5 and the world no.23 Anna Kalinskaya 6-4 6-2.
Emma Navarro will fight against the world no.3 Jessica Pegula in the quarter. Their current record is 4-0 for Pegula.
The American has won 1 title in 2026 in Strasbourg.
