Emma Navarro and Caty McNally meet in the second round of the US Open on Wednesday at 17:00 UTC, two Americans who already know each other's tricks. Navarro comes in scarred by an overnight rain break and a match she nearly let slip. McNally comes in fresh, curious, and holding the more recent win in this rivalry.
One long night, one short afternoon
Navarro needed everything against Lois Boisson: 7-6(6) 6-7(1) 6-3, a failed attempt to serve it out, an early break down in the decider, the crowd hauling her back. Before that, the summer wobbled — a flat 2-6 2-6 against Alina Korneeva in Toronto, a competitive but losing set against Jessica Pegula in Cincinnati.
McNally's opener barely raised her pulse — 7-5 6-1 over qualifier Anouk Koevermans, tight for a set, then gone. Her ceiling is not in question after beating Linda Noskova 7-6(5) 6-1 in Toronto, and Kathy Rinaldi has encouraged the awkward stuff: the low slice, the short angle, the walk forward behind a forehand.
Where the rhythm breaks
Navarro wants long, repetitive exchanges and a chance to redirect. McNally's whole plan is to deny her that — height changes, drop shots, forecourt pressure, exactly the recipe that flipped their grass-court meeting this season after Navarro took the opening set.
The risks are real: McNally's second serve is attackable and her level can dip once she leads. But a near-even matchup priced as an underdog, with the fresher legs on that side, is where the value sits.
Prediction: Caty McNally to win, odds 2.08
