French Open dark horse sends ‘uncomfortable’ message to Sabalenka – EXCLUSIVE

Emma Navarro could be on the verge of something special at the French Open. The world No. 24 has already broken new ground by reaching the second week at a Major for the first time.

She will now face No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who hasn’t lost a set at Grand Slam level this year. The American won their only meeting earlier this year in Indian Wells and is a dangerous threat to Sabalenka’s chances.

A dark horse in the draw, Navarro told Express Sport that she thinks clay is her best surface. While it could be an overwhelming occasion in her first appearance on the main court at a Slam, the 23-year-old is ready to make the Australian Open champion feel “uncomfortable”.

Tennis fans are still getting to know Navarro, who quietly plugged away on the ITF circuit last year and won 64 matches at all levels. Twelve months ago, she was making her Grand Slam debut as a wildcard at Roland Garros.

But this time around she is the 22nd seed and has ticked off another milestone in Paris by reaching the round of 16. Navarro is something of an unknown on the clay, having enjoyed her breakthrough on hard courts, but she shouldn’t be written off ahead of her Court Philippe-Chatrier debut at Roland Garros.

“I always preferred clay,” the world No. 24 told Express Sport. “Growing up it was my preferred surface, I played a lot on green clay growing up. This year I had a lot of good results on hard court, the best that I’ve had in my career. Which was, not surprising I guess, but I’ve always had better results on clay. But I still really enjoy clay but I’m finding myself on a hard court as well.”

Navarro started the season by winning her first tour-level title in Hobart and she stunned Sabalenka 6-3 3-6 6-2 en route to her first WTA 1000 quarter-final in Indian Wells. She could now be even more dangerous in Paris, where she gets to face the world No. 2 on her favourite surface.

Comparing their Indian Wells clash to their upcoming round-of-16 match, the 23-year-old said: “I think it’s definitely different. Obviously we’re the same players but it’s different on clay and things change from day to day.”

But the relaxed American, who didn’t seem fazed by the prospect of facing one of the title favourites, has a game plan. “Going to try to go into it and play an aggressive game and try to make her uncomfortable so [it’s] different but I’m excited,” she smiled.

There is also something bigger at play for Navarro at the French Open – a spot at the Olympics. The cut-off is the first Monday after the tournament and she is currently just outside the group of top four Americans.

She helped her chances by ending Madison Keys’ six-match winning streak in the third round – her direct competition for the No. 4 American spot – but she must reach the final to surpass Keys. Navarro is “trying not to” think about it and will be hungry to get a place at the LA 2028 Games if she misses out this time.