Emma Navarro won her maiden WTA title this season back in March, at the Merida Open. However, the American star has failed to yield a similar result since then. Her form in subsequent events has been concerning to say the least. Ahead of the French Open, however, she will look to make an impact this weekend in Rome. The World No. 9 has a tough challenge in front of her in R32 on Sunday, where she will face a formidable opponent in Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Who will come out on the top between these two? Let’s try to find out.
Emma Navarro v Clara Tauson: Preview
Emma Navarro’s 2025 season has been mostly stable if not highly impressive. In the initial stages of the season, she couldn’t move past R32 at the Brisbane International. But she bounced back and made it to the QF stage in Adelaide. In the Australian Open, too, she continued to impress by reaching the fourth round before former World No.1 Iga Swiatek ousted her in straight sets. In the next two tournaments, however, Navarro couldn’t create an impact. At the Qatar Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships, she crashed out in R32 and R16 respectively.
However, the 23-year-old didn’t take long to regain her rhythm, as she delivered a stunning performance at the Merida Open in March. In the final, she dominated Colombia’s Emiliana Arango with a brutal score line of 6-0, 6-0 and won her maiden WTA 500 trophy. But she was again unable to build onto it.
At the Indian Wells and Miami Open, Navarro failed to go beyond R32 and R64. In Charleston, she did reach the QF stage but lost to the compatriot Amanda Anisimova eventually. Then in Stuttgart and Madrid, she crashed out in R16 and R32 respectively.
In the Italian Open earlier this week, Navarro began her campaign with a straight-set win over Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova.
Speaking of her opponent Clara Tauson, well she has put on some good performances this season, but has struggled with consistency. Back in January, she won the ASB Classic, when her opponent Naomi Osaka gave her a walkover in the final due to the abdominal injury. Then at the Australian Open, the Dane made it to the third round before losing to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Tauson showed stability in Linz, too, reaching the SF round before her defeat against Dayana Yastremska. However, in Doha, she failed to move beyond R64. She had to retire due to an injury. But she bounced back in style at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Tauson reached the summit clash in Dubai before losing to teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva. The next four events after that, however, turned forgettable for the Dane. At the Indian Wells Masters, Miami Open, and Stuttgart Open, she crashed out in R32, while in Madrid, she was ousted in R64.
Coming into the Italian Open, the World No.23 began her campaign with a win against Katie Volynets, as the latter retired mid-match due to injury.
Navarro v Tauson: Head-to-Head
Emma Navarro and Clara Tauson have met on one occasion so far. Currently, Tauson leads the h2h tally 1-0 against Navarro.
2023 ITF Spain 17A R32: Tauson 6-2, 6-4
Prediction: Clara Tauson to win in three sets
While Emma Navarro has won 15 of her 25 matches in 2025, it’s Clara Tauson who’s ahead of her in terms of the win-loss record this season. The Danish WTA pro has earned victories in 18 of her 26 matches (69.23 win percentage).
But how have these two players fared in Rome in the past? Navarro has played only once at the Italian Open. Last season, she failed to go past R64, losing to Spain’s Paula Badosa. Same is the case with Tauson as well. She made her event debut in this tournament last season but couldn’t impress much. In the R64, Anna Kalinskaya edged her out with a score line of 6-1, 6-2.
But what about their playing styles? Navarro is known for her versatility. She’s got smooth movement in terms of court coverage between the baseline and the net. The American has also got a good slice shot in her armory. When it comes to Tauson, she’s a solid baseliner and is equally impressive with her forehands as well as backhands. Her court coverage is amazing as well. Combine that with her clever drop shots and she is quite a lethal opponent to face.
Considering the recent form of these two players and their win-loss record this season, Clara Tauson appears to have an edge. Yes, Emma Navarro may pose a challenge but the Danish pro is still expected to win in three sets on Sunday.
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