Emma Navarro had to save a match point and benefitted from a break in play for an ill spectator in beating Beatriz Haddad Maia to reach the quarterfinals at Queen's Club on Wednesday as second seed Madison Keys cruised through.
Third seed Navarro was dominated early on by the Brazilian, who took the first set 6-1.
The American was then serving 5-4 down in the second when she saved a match point with a daring drop shot and pass combination.
Yet, Haddad Maia had built up a 4-2 lead in a second set tie-break before the match was temporarily halted for the spectator to receive medical attention.
When play resumed, two consecutive double-faults and three unforced errors cost Haddad Maia the set and ultimately the match as the world number 10 took the decider 6-3.
Are you not entertained! ⚔️
— wta (@WTA) June 11, 2025
Emma Navarro is into the quarterfinals after defeating Haddad Maia in a thrilling three set victory 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. #HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/a2ErVHT5qU
"We play each other all the time, and it always goes three sets and comes down to the wire," said Navarro.
She will face compatriot Amanda Anisimova in Friday's quarterfinals after the No 8 seed dismissed Britain's Sonay Kartal 6-1, 6-3 in just 64 minutes.
In the flow 🌬️
— wta (@WTA) June 11, 2025
Following an excellent performance, @AnisimovaAmanda takes out Kartal 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals in London!#HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/LucoN0NMPH
Australian Open champion Keys was equally ruthless in a 6-3, 6-2 win over qualifier Anastasia Zakharova.
She’s onto the next 🙂↕️@Madison_Keys secures her spot in the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Zakharova!#HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/JKXLB0d8Y4
— wta (@WTA) June 11, 2025
A three-time winner of grass court events, Keys next faces Britain's Katie Boulter or Russian Diana Shnaider.
Sixth seed Karolina Muchova crashed out to Germany's Tatjana Maria in three sets.