Emma Navarro continues to back up her recently-claimed spot in the Top 20, as the No.19 seed from the United States eased past former World No.1 Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-1 on Centre Court at Wimbledon on Wednesday.

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Navarro, the 23-year-old from Charleston, South Carolina, needed only 59 minutes to topple four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka of Japan. In her first career appearance on Centre Court, Navarro never faced a break point in the showdown.

"Definitely a special experience playing out on Centre Court," Navarro said afterwards. "I really tried to enjoy it and take it all in and really appreciate the opportunity, also while playing good tennis. I think I was able to do that."

Navarro, the 2021 NCAA champion from the University of Virginia, was outside the Top 50 a year ago but is currently ranked a career-high No.17. She has now made the third round or better at all three Slams this year, so far peaking with a Round of 16 showing at Roland Garros. 

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Shnaider awaits again: If Navarro wants to make another Grand Slam Round of 16, she will have to beat red-hot Diana Shnaider in the third round. The 20-year-old Shnaider stormed past 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-1, 6-1 in just 49 minutes on Wednesday.

Shnaider has beaten her occasional doubles partner Navarro twice this year, most recently just last week in the Bad Homburg semifinals. Shnaider went on to win that grass-court event for her second title of the year, and she is currently ranked a career-high No.30.

"[Shnaider's] really funny, and she's a great competitor," Navarro said. "We had a lot of fun playing doubles together. ... She plays very courageously, and she goes for her shots, which I think is a big part of her game. She'll go for it. 

"Obviously she's a lefty, which makes it tough. But I feel just excited for the challenge. Sometimes it's nice to play a player that you've lost to the last time. It maybe takes a little bit of pressure off."

Match moments: Navarro and Osaka had no trouble on serve in the first six games of Wednesday's match, but at 3-3, Osaka fired four straight unforced errors to hand Navarro a love break.

At one juncture, Navarro reeled off 10 points in a row, although she had to tough out a deuce game to consolidate for the 5-3 lead.

Osaka quickly regrouped on serve, powering through a love hold to force Navarro to serve for the set. The American was up to the task, garnering set point with a strong overhead, then converting that chance with a fiery forehand, her ninth winner of the set.

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A drop volley misfire by Osaka gave Navarro a quick break point in the opening game of the second set, and Navarro took her chance, carving a groundstroke to force an Osaka error and take the early lead. 

Navarro cruised home from there, halting new mom Osaka's return to Wimbledon after a four-year absence. Navarro finished the match with a clean 16 winners to just five unforced errors.

"There was some specific preparation today, in terms of just game plan and how I wanted to take it on mentally," Navarro said. "But also I think it's been years of preparation that made me able to feel comfortable and feel like physically and mentally I'm able to take that challenge on."