Emma Navarro, is back on court tonight against Donna Vekic, after a tremendous battle on Saturday night against Sorana Cirstea of Romania. She advanced in the BNP Paribas Open 3-6, 6-1, 7-6.
The American, who came into Indian Wells fresh off a title at the Merida Open, looked down and out on more than one occasion in this match but if we have learned anything from watching Navarro play, she will fight to the last ball. Don’t let her business-as-usual approach, and lack of outward emotion during a match fool you. Inside there is a fire and fighter mentality.
Reuters/Carlos Perez Gallardo
After dropping the first set, she took control of the second set routinely. However, it was in the third set that Navarro displayed amazing grit and fight. After falling down 0-3, and 1-4, she dug in and battled to get back in the set. But she faced 2 match points. One was particularly compelling as she scrambled to get to a Cirstea short ball, only to clip the net giving her opponent a strong look to put the point and match away. But, as she retreated, she caught the Romania’s running volley on a short hop lofting it just over her head. She would force a tiebreak where she, once again, made most of the key shots to win the match.
“Honestly one of the best atmospheres I’ve played in. Just trying to get the best out of myself on my worst day,” Navarro said after the two-hour, 28-minute battle.
It sets up a match with another player known for her fight and determined effort, in Vekic in Indian Wells.
