Things are not always pretty when it comes to Emma Navarro. But there is no doubt that she battles through whatever the difficulties of any given match are. She resembles Jessica Pegula in that she does not have a single weapon of a powerful serve or forehand, but she keeps points alive, and is also a difficult out.
Playing in her hometown tournament at the 2025 Charleston Open, she took on ascending Ashlyn Krueger, the 19-year-old American who appears on the brink of greatness. Krueger's power was too much for Navarro early in the match, and she took the first set 6-4. The match, though, came down to Navarro's ability to return.
Just when Krueger appeared on the verge of taking control of the match with a break of Navarro, Navarro got the break right back and then consolidated by holding in her next service game. Krueger will learn from the loss, but so will Navarro, who is only 23 years old and beginning to find her own footing on the WTA tour.
Emma Navarro reaches her first quarterfinals at the Charleston Open with a victory over Ashlyn Krueger
At this point, Navarro should be a threat to win the entire tournament. She is playing much the same way that the 2024 surprise winner at the Charleston Open, Danielle Collins, did. She defends each point and makes her opponent earn whatever they get. That can mentally exhaust a foe just as much as beating them physically can.
There is also no one left in the tournament who should be able to overpower Navarro. Krueger, though still figuring out exactly what works for her best and what she needs to do less, can swing away with any player on tour. Navarro relies more on touch and movement, but on the clay courts of Charleston, that might be enough to get her a title.
Navarro will next play Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals on Friday. There is no reason to think the Charleston native will not win that match as well.