Still, Navarro may have the advantage in one way, and it’s a sign of her competitive intelligence that she has pinpointed it.
“I feel like, I don’t know, she might feel like she has something to lose, whereas I feel like I have everything to go after,” the American said on Tuesday. “That’s something that I work on a lot, trying to put myself in a position to go after something, no matter the match or the opponent.”
Navarro is right: Sabalenka will likely feel as if she’s supposed to win. That’s usually not a problem for her, but it may have contributed to her meltdown in the US Open final last year to Coco Gauff. And Navarro, with her consistency, ability to counterpunch, and emotional control, is a player who can make the most of an opponent’s nerves. She also shouldn’t feel any pressure compared to her opponent, at least to start.
Navarro has established herself as a Grand Slam threat. And the Ashe crowd could help her, and rattle Sabalenka, the way it did last year in the final. But I’m not quite ready to make the American the favorite. Winner: Sabalenka
