US Open: Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchová was knocked out by Emma Navarro in the 3rd round

Karolina Muchova’s US Open campaign ended in the third round as Emma Navarro continued her impressive run at Flushing Meadows with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over the Czech on Friday. Muchova, the world number seven and two-time US Open semi-finalist, was the highest-ranked player to exit the women’s singles draw before the second week. The defeat came just weeks after she reached the Wimbledon final, after which she spent time out of competition after undergoing minor surgery.

Navarro, seeded 26th, showed a balanced performance from behind the court, repeatedly absorbing Muchová’s power and forcing the Czech to make mistakes. The American also made the most of Mucha’s matches as the former semi-finalist finished the match with just 18 winners against 32 unforced errors.

Muchová had opportunities to change the course of the match after losing the opening set, but Navarro remained largely in control. The American broke in the seventh game before Muchova responded, only for another loose forehand from the Czech to hand Navarro a crucial break late in the set.

The second set proved to be more competitive, with both players trading breaks as Muchová searched her way back into the match. However, Navarro held her nerve when it mattered most, earning a break before serving on three occasions in the 11th game.

The victory marked Navarro’s third win over a top-10 player this season and sent her into the last 16 at her home Grand Slam. In 2024, she also reached the semi-finals of the US Open and established herself as one of the breakthrough performers of the tournament.

Navarro, who has built a strong base on the outer courts and played each of her last six matches in the stands, celebrated emphatically after sealing the win with a powerful forehand.

In the fourth round, she will face either Elina Svitolina or Anna Kalinska.

– The end

Published on:

05 Sep 2026 03:03 IST