By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Photo credit: Sarah Stier/Getty
On Monday, Iga Swiatek slammed the WTA schedule as “overwhelming.”
Today, Emma Navarro shortened Swiatek’s stay in Beijing.
Navarro rolled through 15 of the final 17 points sending a sloppy Swiatek packing 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 and charging into the China Open quarterfinals.
Winless in two prior meetings vs. the former No. 1, Navarro played with more poise and precision and exploited an erratic opponent handing Swiatek her first loss in nine career Beijing matches.
INCREDIBLE 💥
Emma Navarro has booked her place in the #2025ChinaOpen Quarterfinals, defeating the No.1 seed Swiatek 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. pic.twitter.com/hioZPhtLQc
— wta (@WTA) October 1, 2025
The 2023 China Open champion committed a mind-boggling 70 unforced errors in a two hour, 30-minute defeat. Navarro had not won more than three games in her prior two losses to Swiatek, but took charge on pivotal points today.
Seoul champion Swiatek sabotaged her cause missing shots by several feet on some points.
A calm Navarro picked apart Swiatek’s second serve, winning 25 of 38 points played on the Pole’s second delivery.
“I definitely had some adjusting to do after our last couple times playing,” Navarro said. “I wanted to come out and play calm and steady and focused tennis.
“I did that, so I’m happy with the way the match went tonight.”
Navarro tightened the screws from the start earning four break points in Swiatek’s opening service game then surging through six of the last eight games of the first set snatching a one-set lead.
The 16th-seeded Navarro scored her first Top 5-win since defeating Coco Gauff at the 2024 US Open. Navarro advanced to her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal where she will play either fifth-seeded compatriot Jessica Pegula or 23rd-seeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk for a semifinal spot.
Navarro reached her first quarterfinal since losing to Pegula in the Bad Homburg quarterfinals on grass last June.
It’s been a day of upsets in Beijing.
Earlier, British No. 81 Sonay Kartal surprised fourth-seeded Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 in two hours, 25 minutes. Kartal scored her first career Top 10 win to reach her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.
“She’s a Top-10 player for a very good reason,” said Kartal.
“She made me play my best tennis today, so credit to her, but I’m super happy with the level I managed out there.”
Kartal will play Linda Noskova for a semifinal spot.
The 26th-seeded Noskova dismissed Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 6-4 converting six of nine break points in an 87-minute victory.
