Emma Navarro produced the performance of the season at the China Open, stunning World No. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 to reach her first WTA 1000 quarter-final of 2025. The 24-year-old American delivered a flawless third set, handing the Polish star a rare bagel and halting her six-match winning streak in Beijing.
Navarro Strikes First
The match opened with Swiatek threatening early, breaking for a 2-0 lead. But Navarro quickly answered, showing composure in key rallies and stringing together four consecutive games. Swiatek’s first serve deserted her at critical moments, allowing Navarro to dictate from the baseline. After 50 minutes, the American sealed the opening set 6-4, holding firm against late pressure.
Swiatek Responds with Fightback
The World No. 2 regrouped in the second set, improving her service accuracy and unleashing six aces. After trading breaks, Swiatek edged ahead at 5-4 and capitalized on her first set point to level the contest 6-4. Her dominance on second-serve points (70% won) seemed to tilt momentum in her favor heading into the decider.
Navarro’s Perfect Finish
But the third set belonged entirely to Navarro. Relentless in her returns and composed under pressure, she broke Swiatek three times in a row while protecting her own serve with ease. Closing out the set 6-0 in just 36 minutes, the American sealed her first win over Swiatek and her third career victory against a Top-2 player.
By the Numbers
- Aces: Swiatek 9 – Navarro 2
- Double Faults: Swiatek 5 – Navarro 3
- First-Serve Points Won: Swiatek 63% – Navarro 71%
- Second-Serve Points Won: Swiatek 34% – Navarro 42%
- Match Time: 2h 26m
Swiatek vs Navarro – Full Match Stats
| Statistic | Swiatek | Navarro |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.82 | 1.21 |
| Serve Rating | 217 | 253 |
| Aces | 9 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 5 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 62% (60/97) | 64% (56/87) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 63% (38/60) | 71% (40/56) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 34% (13/38) | 42% (13/31) |
| Break Points Saved | 60% (9/15) | 57% (4/7) |
| Service Games | 54% (7/13) | 77% (10/13) |
| Ace % | 9.3% | 2.3% |
| Double Fault % | 5.2% | 3.4% |
| Return Rating | 153 | 189 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 29% (16/56) | 37% (22/60) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 58% (18/31) | 66% (25/38) |
| Break Points Won | 43% (3/7) | 40% (6/15) |
| Pressure Points | 55% (12/22) | 45% (10/22) |
| Service Points | 53% (51/97) | 61% (53/87) |
| Return Points | 39% (34/87) | 47% (46/97) |
| Total Points | 46% (85/184) | 54% (99/184) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 5 | 7 |
| Service Games Won | 54% (7/13) | 77% (10/13) |
| Return Games Won | 23% (3/13) | 46% (6/13) |
| Total Games Won | 38% (10/26) | 62% (16/26) |
| Max Games In A Row | 2 | 6 |
| Match Duration | 2h 31m | |
Rankings and Outlook
The defeat dents Swiatek’s late-season bid to chase Aryna Sabalenka for the year-end No. 1. Fresh off a title at the Korea Open, the Pole faltered at the wrong time and exits Beijing earlier than expected.
For Navarro, the victory guarantees her return to the Top 15 — sitting at No. 14 in the live rankings — and sets up a quarter-final clash with the winner of Jessica Pegula vs. Marta Kostyuk. It also marks her best run at a WTA 1000 but do know… this was a victory she needed.