Coco Gauff’s hopes of winning Wimbledon were dashed on Sunday when the second-seeded tennis player was defeated in three sets by compatriot Emma Navarro.
The American, seeded second for the championships, was defeated 6-4 6-3 by Navarro on Centre Court, meaning the 19th-seeded player is now in her second Grand Slam quarter-final.
Gauff, who won her first major singles title at last year’s US Open, failed to capitalize on Iga Swiatek’s elimination on Saturday, defeating Gauff in just one hour and 14 minutes.
Her first major breakthrough came at the age of 15 at the All England Club, where she became the youngest qualifier in the tournament’s history, beating Venus Williams in the first round to advance to the fourth round. Gauff never improved on that feat, however.
In her next participation, in 2021, she was already eliminated in the fourth round. In 2022 she lost in the third round and a year ago in the first round.
Second seed Coco Gauff was knocked out in the fourth round of Wimbledon for the third time
Emma Navarro won in three sets to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal
Gauff was unable to capitalize on the elimination of top-seeded Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon on Saturday
The 19th-seeded Navarro, a 23-year-old player who grew up in South Carolina and won an NCAA title for Virginia, reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
Gauff continued to make mistakes on Sunday and often looked up at her guest box on Centre Court, where one of her two coaches, Brad Gilbert, often stood with his hands on his hips.
Her departure opened up the women’s singles game even further.
The three best women have been announced, as have the two finalists from last year.
This makes Elena Rybakina, the 2022 champion, the big favorite to win her second dish with Venus Rosewater on Saturday.
Rybakina is one of two remaining top 10 players in women’s singles.
Seventh-seeded Jasmine Paolini, who is second at Roland Garros, will face Navarro in the quarterfinals.