Emma Navarro defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the 2026 US Open quarterfinals. Read the full match report.
Emma Navarro Sweeps Kalinskaya to Reach US Open Quarterfinals
American star Emma Navarro is officially back in the US Open quarterfinals. Playing under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday night, the 26th-seeded Navarro delivered a flawless performance to defeat Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-2. With this commanding straight-sets victory, the talented 25-year-old player thrilled the passionate home crowd and kept her hopes alive for a magical run at Flushing Meadows. See also: Linda Noskova Survives Marta Kostyuk in Epic Thriller
A Tight and Tactical First Set
The fourth-round showdown began as a highly competitive and tactical battle. Both players held their service games comfortably during the early stages, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. Navarro, known for her incredible composure on the court, displayed fantastic patience. She happily absorbed Kalinskaya’s heavy groundstrokes, constantly forcing the Russian player to hit an extra ball.
The turning point finally arrived late in the first set. With the score tied at 4-4, Kalinskaya began to struggle slightly with her serve. Navarro seized the opportunity, creating her very first break point of the match, which also happened to be a set point. Kalinskaya hit a costly backhand into the net, allowing Navarro to snatch the opening set 6-4. Impressively, the American lost only four points on her own serve throughout the entire first set.
Navarro Dominates the Second Set
Having secured the crucial opening set, Navarro looked completely relaxed and comfortable heading into the second. In sharp contrast, Kalinskaya started to look increasingly frustrated. The Russian’s serve, which had been reliable early on, suddenly abandoned her. She committed nine double faults during the match and continuously struggled to find her rhythm.
Navarro brilliantly capitalized on her opponent’s mistakes. The American utilized her steely groundstrokes and exceptional court coverage to dictate the baseline rallies. She kept her unforced errors incredibly low, finishing the match with just 10 mistakes compared to Kalinskaya’s 32. Navarro smoothly controlled the tempo, breaking Kalinskaya’s serve and confidently closing out the second set 6-2.
Setting Up an All-American Clash
This impressive victory marks Navarro’s first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance since her remarkable run to the semifinals here in New York back in the 2024 season. After missing some time on the professional tour earlier this year for health reasons, she currently looks stronger than ever. Navarro will now prepare for a massive all-American quarterfinal clash against the third-seeded Jessica Pegula.