In New York, she followed her 2024 Grand Slam pattern of improving by one round each time.

She beat Badosa from 5-1 down in the second set to achieve a first major semifinal, after again beating Gauff, ending the reigning champion’s title defence a round earlier.

Considering our chat with Navarro in January, and her admission she didn’t feel ready, mentally or physically, to even contest AO 2023 qualifying, her progress has been nothing short of staggering.

She’s one match away from a Grand Slam final, and increasingly assured in the position she finds herself.

“It’s crazy that I’m able to walk out on Ashe and feel comfortable, because it’s definitely not my nature to want to be in the spotlight and seek the attention of a lot of people,” said Navarro, who next plays either Aryna Sabalenka or Zheng Qinwen.

AO FINAL REVISITED: Sabalenka & Zheng to clash in New York

“I think I was a little bit overwhelmed maybe at Indian Wells playing on centre court. But I think it was so important for me to have those experiences at that stage to be able to come out on a day like today and feel comfortable on probably the biggest stage in tennis.

“Now to look back and remember who’s played [at Arthur Ashe Stadium] before, having Serena here the other day, it’s pretty insane that all the legends of our sport have played on that court, just walked up to the same baseline that I’m walking up to to serve. Yeah, it’s crazy.

“I definitely feel just very grateful to be taking that stage and be playing the tennis that I’m playing and having another opportunity to do so in a couple days.”