That wasn't exactly my problem but I was able to test it. I did what you said and switched my previous files to .sa1 but the problem was the save files or the emlator is screwed up because after I did that the game said that the save file was deleted.
It keeps either freezing and corrupting the file or it doesn't load completely, like when I went to trade the 3 beginner pokemon to Leaf Green, it froze and when I went to reload it it said that the game file was deleted....
I think there is something wrong with my emulator so if you have one that works, please tell me where you got it and I'll test my theory....