No. 8 Emma Navarro needed to play the longest WTA-level match of her career and rallied from 5-3 down in the third set to beat fellow American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

Emma Navarro survives a disaster after defeating Peyton Stearns 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-5 in the Australian Open first round. The world No. 8 was on the brink of defeat but managed to prevail against an opponent who knew how to complicate things for her.

Charleston's Emma Navarro took on fellow American Peyton Stearns in the opening round of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Navarro rallied to a three-set win

Emma Navarro outlasts Peyton Stearns in an incredible comeback at the Australian Open.

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,