In a match that swung wildly from one side to the other, American Emma Navarro pulled off one of the surprises of the tennis season, defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 in the round of 16 at the China Open. The 24-year-old Navarro, seeded 16th, had never beaten Swiatek before this encounter in Beijing—indeed, the Pole had dominated their prior meetings, including a straight-sets rout earlier this year at the Australian Open. But on Wednesday, under the bright lights of the Diamond Court, Navarro turned the tables with a performance that exposed cracks in Swiatek's usually impenetrable game.
The first set was a gritty affair, with Navarro breaking early to take a 2-0 lead after saving break points of her own. Swiatek fought back, but errors crept in, and Navarro held firm to pocket the set. However, Swiatek steadied herself in the second, breaking twice to level the match at one set apiece. It seemed like the top seed might rally as she often does. Yet the third set unfolded like a nightmare for the 24-year-old from Poland—a stunning 6-0 bagel that left spectators and analysts alike scratching their heads. Navarro's aggressive returns and steady baseline play overwhelmed Swiatek, who committed uncharacteristic unforced errors throughout the decider.
This victory marks Navarro's third win over a top-two player and propels her into the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time this season, joining a strong American contingent including Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. For Swiatek, it's an early exit that echoes some troubling losses from late 2024, raising questions about her form heading into the Asian swing's finale. Moreover, the match lasted over two and a half hours, a testament to Navarro's resilience against one of the sport's most dominant forces.
Navarro's upset not only boosts her confidence but highlights how quickly fortunes can shift on the tour—leaving fans to wonder what adjustments Swiatek might make next.