Navarro Starts 2026 Strong Against Rising Jones
Emma Navarro overcomes a fired-up home crowd and her own winless streak to dispatch Emerson Jones in straight sets, signaling a promising restart in Adelaide.
Emma Navarro stepped onto Centre Court in Adelaide under the weight of a months-long drought, her last victory dating back to early October. The 24-year-old American drew a formidable opener in 17-year-old Emerson Jones, the local talent who had just broken into the Top 150 and notched a Top 50 upset over Tatjana Maria the previous week. With the Australian crowd roaring from the outset, Navarro channeled the pressure into focus, securing a 6-3, 6-3 win in 1 hour and 19 minutes to claim her first triumph of 2026 and advance to the second round.
Baseline exchanges build early control
Jones arrived with momentum, her aggressive baseline game fueled by recent success and the home support that amplified every point. She opened with heavy topspin forehands crosscourt, aiming to stretch Navarro wide and disrupt her rhythm on the hard courts. Navarro responded by redirecting pace with deep crosscourt backhands, keeping rallies short and forcing Jones into uncomfortable positions early in the first set.
As the American settled, she introduced a steady one–two pattern from the baseline, pairing flat groundstrokes with occasional inside-out forehands to wrong-foot her opponent. This approach neutralized Jones’s power, leading to a break in the sixth game that Navarro consolidated with precise serving. By set’s end, the crowd’s energy had met its match in her composure, setting the tone for a controlled affair.
Slice disrupts home advantage
In the second set, Jones pushed back with down-the-line winners that ignited the stands, but Navarro countered by dropping the ball speed with low slice backhands that skimmed the net and pulled the Australian forward. These adjustments forced unforced errors from Jones, who struggled to transition from defense to offense under the mounting pressure. Navarro’s defensive lobs added variety, preserving her leads and turning the match’s tempo in her favor.
The victory marked a tactical reset for Navarro, who had questioned her consistency after a barren stretch. Check the Adelaide: Scores for the latest results, the Draws to follow her path, and the Order of play for upcoming matches. With this win, Navarro positions herself to chase deeper runs through the Australian swing, building on a surface that suits her versatile game.
