Emma Navarro wins all-U.S. showdown in Australian Open

(Photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images)
Eighth-seeded Emma Navarro received a stern test from another NCAA singles champion before emerging with a first-round win at the Australian Open.

Navarro, the 2021 NCAA champ for Virginia, got past Peyton Stearns, the 2022 NCAA champ for Texas, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-5 on Tuesday in Melbourne, Australia.

Stearns broke serve deep in the third set to pull level at 5-5, but Navarro subs