China Open stars worth £9.3bn have already made feelings on each other clear before clash | Tennis | Sport

Emma Navarro has previously revealed that she enjoys a tight bond with fellow American and rival Jessica Pegula. World No. 17 Navarro stunned Iga Swiatek at the China Open on Wednesday, beating the six-time Major winner 6-4 4-6 6-0.

She will now face Pegula in Friday’s quarter-finals, days after they joined forces at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, where the American team finished runners-up.

Pegula – who’s a billionaire’s daughter just like Navarro – reached the last eight in Beijing with a 6-3 6-7 6-1 victory over Marta Kostyuk. The No. 5 seed also saved three match points to beat Emma Raducanu in the previous round.

At the recent US Open, Pegula shed light on the tough journey throughout her “whole tennis life”.

At 31, Pegula has recognised possible retirement within the next few years, emphasising she won’t compete past age 35.

Her exit would rob Navarro of a close friend, and Navarro shed light on their intriguing relationship following her recent success, reports The Express US.

“I’ve built good relationships, especially with other American players, just practising together and playing other tournaments like the Olympics and the Billie Jean King Cup,” she said.

“Jess [Pegula] and I have become good friends over the past year or so. But they’re also your competitors. It’s a little bit unique in that sense. You’re friends, but you also have to play against each other.”

It appears Navarro and Pegula share more than simply a passion for tennis, both originating from families of substantial wealth.

Pegula, with an estimated net worth of approximately £14.8 million, stands to inherit a staggering £6.9 billion fortune.

She is the daughter of oil tycoon and sports entrepreneur Terry Pegula, who boasts an estimated net worth of £6.9 billion and possesses multiple sports franchises, including the Buffalo Bills.

Navarro likewise stems from an affluent background.

Her father, Ben Navarro, founder and chief of Sherman Financial Group and proprietor of Credit One Bank, commands a net worth approaching £2.4 billion.

Navarro has never won a match against Pegula, losing in their two previous encounters. But she’ll be hoping her statement victory over Swiatek gives her a boost.

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