Playing only her second Wimbledon main draw, Navarro went through a tricky field in the first week, taking out former No. 12 Wang Qiang before defeating Osaka in straight sets. Backing up the win, she snapped Bad Homburg Open champion Diana Shnaider’s seven-match winning streak to book her second meeting with Gauff of the season.
Navarro lost in straight sets to her fellow American when they faced off at the ASB Classic in January, but Navarro proved more adaptable to the indoor grass conditions as the third match on Centre, emerging from an exchange of breaks with a lead she never let out of sight, breaking Gauff a second time to clinch the opening set.
Gauff grew increasingly frustrated as her more combustible forehand wing erred often in the second set, handing Navarro the chance to serve out the match.
Though Gauff saved two match points, Navarro held firm and forced one last forehand error from the 20-year-old, who exchanged a warm hug with her childhood friend at the net.
In the end, Navarro played far steadier tennis, striking 16 unforced errors to 25 from Gauff, who was serving at just 56% for the match.
Navarro, who is projected to make a Top 15 debut following the conclusion of the fortnight, will next face No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini, who was tied 5-5 in the final set against Madison Keys before the American was forced to retire due to a left leg injury.
