By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 31, 2026
Photo credit: Dustin Satloff/USTA
NEW YORK—Down a break in the decider, Emma Navarro pulled off a dynamic comeback that pushed Lois Boisson passed the breaking point.
Navarro reeled off five of the final six games out-dueling the dangerous Boisson 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-3 to battle into the US Open second round.
The two hour, 46-minute clash on Grandstand saw Navarro withstand 15 aces from Boisson and save seven of the 10 break points she faced.
The physically-draining duel, which started on Sunday before rain suspended play until today, ended with each woman operating at emotional extremes.
Watch Navarro as Navarro expresses pure delight to fans, over her shoulder Boisson goes full destroyer repeatedly smashing a pair of Babolat Pure Drive racquets in annihilation.
Emma Navarro celebrating her U.S. Open first round win with fist pumps and smiles.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 31, 2026
Her opponent Lois Boisson casually obliterating her racquet behind her.
Tennis. 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/NyYxguloCG
The contrasting scene evoked Kipling’s poem “If” and its verse “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same” that greets players walking out on Wimbledon’s Centre Court as a reminder of how the pressure of Grand Slam tennis can evoke extreme emotional volatility.
Here’s how the entire scene played out immediately after the post-match handshake:
The 26-year-old Navarro, who was born in New York City, advanced to the second round for the third year in a row.
The 2024 US Open semifinalist Navarro will play compatriot Caty McNally in an all-American second-round match. McNally defeated Dutchwoman Anouk Koevermans 7-5, 6-1 on Court No. 11.
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