Jessica Pegula reveals one thing that helped her overcome Emma Navarro at Bad Homburg Open for first top 10 win in 2025
Jessica Pegula, World No. 3, revealed that her focus on precise footwork was the key to overcoming Emma Navarro in a thrilling 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 quarterfinal victory at the 2025 Bad Homburg Open on June 26, marking her first Top-10 win of the season. In her post-match interview with *Tennis Tonic*, Pegula explained, “It was a bit gusty out there, and the rain delay didn’t help either. But I just tried to stay focused on my footwork and keep my shots clean.” This tactical emphasis allowed her to regain control in the decisive third set against the No. 10-ranked Navarro, advancing to the semifinals of the WTA 500 grass-court event.
The match, an all-American showdown, saw Pegula dominate early with a 5-2 lead in the first set, leveraging her powerful serve (67% first-serve points won, six aces) and backhand winners to secure it 6-4, despite Navarro’s late break, per *Yardbarker*. Navarro, who had reached the Bad Homburg semifinals in 2023 and 2024, fought back fiercely in the second, winning five straight games for a 6-1 rout, capitalizing on Pegula’s dip in serve consistency. In the third, Pegula’s renewed aggression and footwork adjustments disrupted Navarro’s rhythm, breaking in the fourth game to lead 4-1 and sealing the win in 1 hour 53 minutes, per *WTA*.
Pegula’s victory, her second over Navarro (1-0 H2H from Miami 2024), was a critical confidence boost after a disappointing Berlin Open exit to Liudmila Samsonova. “Emma’s super sweet and an incredible athlete,” Pegula said, praising Navarro’s baseline pressure and noting their mutual support among American players, per *ProFootballNetwork.com*. Navarro, who called Pegula a “role model” pre-match, pushed her with strong returns (33.9% return games won on grass), but Pegula’s 87% first-serve points and saved seven of ten break points proved decisive, per *Sportskeeda*.
This win, Pegula’s fourth semifinal of 2025, strengthens her Wimbledon preparation, where she’s seeded No. 3 with a 2023 quarterfinal as her best result. She now faces Linda Nosková, aiming for her second grass-court final, per *Tennis Tonic*.
