Emma Navarro fell to Jessica Pegula again on Monday, as the world No. 28 dropped her third-round 2026 Cincinnati Open match in straight sets. Pegula earned the 7-5, 6-2 win in 1 hour and 41 minutes, subsequently taking a 0-4 lead in the US duo's head-to-head record.
Break Points Cost Emma Navarro WTA 1000 Win
The opener stayed on serve until Pegula found her break late for 7-5. From there, she pulled away. Navarro kept generating chances but converted just two of nine break points. The world No. 3 fired back with four aces, eventually sealing the win with one on match point.
Afterward, she credited her opponent's style.
"I knew there would be long points," Pegula said. "She makes you run a lot and works points really well herself. I'm just happy to get through it. It was a tough match."
Jessica Pegula to Face Sorana Cîrstea at 2026 Cincinnati Open
The victory pushed Pegula to 14 career wins in Cincinnati, her third-best total at any single event behind Miami (21) and Canada (20). Three of her four wins over Navarro have now come at WTA 1000 stops.
No. 15 seed Sorana Cîrstea now awaits Pegula in the Round of 16.
