Wimbledon - Day 7: Navarro nullifies Gauff, Sun shines

Ice cool Navarro takes out Gauff

In a breakout season, Emma Navarro continues to compete at the highest level with such composure.

The world No.17 – affectionately known as ‘ice girl’ by her family - added another notable result to her 2024 with clinical 6-4, 6-3 triumph over No.2 seed Coco Gauff.

Taking out four-time major winner Naomi Osaka in the second round, US Open champion Gauff now, nothing seems to faze the free-hitting former college tennis champion.

“Feeling really good. Played some good tennis today, for sure. Faced a really tough opponent, a Grand Slam champ. Second one in one tournament. I mean, that's more than I've ever faced,” stated the 23-year-old. I'm excited to keep playing.“

“I've kind of been just way more comfortable playing on that stage than I would have thought, maybe just like the accumulation of a lot more experiences on stages like this. Yeah, kind of just rode the wave of that comfort, I guess, let the practice that I've put in and the hours of work that I've put in just take control.”

Equalling the best result by an Italian woman at Wimbledon in the Open Era, Roland-Garros finalist Jasmine Paolini was locked in a 6-3,6-7(6), 5-5 “rollercoaster” with Madison Keys, before the American unfortunately retired with a thigh injury.

"Right now I’m so sorry for her," said Paolini, who faces Navarro next. "To end the match like this is bad. What can I say?

“I'm feeling good, of course. I think it's a dream to play on these kind of courts in Wimbledon, winning some matches. I'm enjoying a lot.”

Sun-day to remember

Already the first New Zealand player to reach the Wimbledon women’s fourth round, Lulu Sun took her fairytale at SW19 to another level on Centre Court.

The qualifier chalked up a maiden tour-level quarter-final with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 scoreboard over 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Sun shone with 52 winner and 23 of 28 success at the net in a captivating, confident display. What a way to announce yourself on the world stage.

"It was a great match. I really dug deep to get the win. I really had to fight tooth and nail because she obviously going to run for every ball and fight until the end,” said the 23-year-old wiping away tears of joy.

“While walking through the Centre Court, I was just looking around and taking it all in for the first time. It’s just such an amazing experience for me."

Sun - New Zealand born, raised in Switzerland and attended college in Texas, USA – had just two tour-level victories to her name prior to heading to qualifying. Studying the greats has helped the 23-year-old left hander find this top-tier tennis.

"I played a bit on grass in juniors and then a couple of pro tournaments,” said Sun, who competed in the girls’ events at Wimbledon 2018. “I think just watching the professionals growing up. For example, Federer, of course, coming towards the net, and I watched also Steffi Graf versus Martina Navratilova on YouTube.

"It was just so amazing to watch them. Of course I couldn’t watch them live but I was taking it it all on from the pros, and trying to do that for my game."

Croatia’s Donna Vekic stands in Sun’s path after overcoming Paula Badosa 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 for a maiden Wimbledon quarter-final. Vekic has been ranked within the Top 20 and still harbours hopes of a major move.

“It’s been my dream since I started playing tennis to win a Grand Slam. It’s the reason why I play tennis. Why I keep training and pushing myself every day. Of course I believe,” maintained the world No.37. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise. But to win a Grand Slam, a lot of things have to happen. Hopefully one day, it will for me.”

Alcaraz passes Humbert test

There was one point, which secured Carlos Alcaraz the second set, which encapsulates why the three-time Grand Slam champion is so popular, is already a global household name.

Up against Frenchman Ugo Humbert’s all-court brilliance, Alcaraz sprinted right, fell over having struck a forehand, got up, sprinted left for a retrieval lob and still had the explosive pace to chase down a short overhead. What a point – make sure you watch it for yourself below.

"Unbelievable, I guess,” stated Alcaraz, describing his moment of magic. “I just try to fight for every ball, it doesn't matter which part of the court I am. Giving myself the chance to stay alive in the point.”

Humbert gave it everything and threatened to haul the defending champion into a decider. However, the Spaniard served up some clutch tennis to escape 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 to earn a ninth career quarter-final.

That means he’s equalled his idol Rafael Nadal in fourth place on the Open Era list for the most men’s Grand Slam singles quarter-finals aged 21-years-old or under. Alcaraz is simply one of a kind.

Alcaraz splits his head-to-head with world No.13 Tommy Paul at 2-2. The American – who won Queen’s last month on the grass - overcame Roberto Baustista Agut in straight sets on Sunday.

“The last set I started playing unbelievable. It worked out great,” said Paul, on a nine-match winning streak, before his take on tackling Alcaraz. “It’s definitely gonna be a tough match. He’s the defending champ. He plays amazing on grass. But I feel like I’m playing pretty good right now too.”

Alcaraz edged his fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller in the third round. Will Paul tap into Tiafoe’s Centre Court experience?

“We'll probably talk a little bit. I think two days ago, whenever they played, that was actually my first time ever going in the Centre Court at Wimbledon,” revealed Paul. “I went to go watch that. I kind of just showed up a little late, though. I showed up the end of the fourth set. Didn't go great from there for him. But we'll probably talk a little bit, yeah.”

Sinner stardust stuns Shelton

World No.1 Jannik Sinner also turned into a human highlight reel on Sunday.

The top seed called it “lucky” but a sublime point including a front-facing tweener was the pick of the bunch as Sinner soared past No.14 seed Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9), despite being 1-4 down in the third set and saving four sets points at the tail end.

The Italian, now 42-3 this year, advances to tackle world No.5 Daniil Medvedev, who moved on due to Grigor Dimitrov’s retirement with injury in the early stages of their Last 16 duel.

Medvedev won their opening six matches, then Sinner has claimed their most recent five tussles, including a maiden major triumph from two sets down at the Australian Open back in January.

“We actually practised with Jannik here before the tournament. Was a great practice set,” said Medvedev.

“Look, the funny thing is I lost five times. But if I remember right, four times were really close. First time we play on grass. I'm going to try to see what I can do to play good, to surprise him, to make him in trouble. He's for sure going to do the same. Hopefully it's going to be a good match. Try my best to win.”