Coco Gauff is through to her first Wimbledon semi-final after battling to a comeback victory over Jessica Pegula.
Two-time Grand Slam singles champion Gauff had never previously gone beyond the fourth round at the All England Club and suffered a first-round exit last year.
However, she recovered from an error-strewn start against world number four Pegula, who was the highest-ranked player left in the singles draw, to win 4-6 6-3 6-3.
The 22-year-old is the youngest player to reach the semi-finals at all four Grand Slams since Maria Sharapova, who achieved that feat at the 2007 French Open.
She will face Karolina Muchova for a place in the final after the Czech 10th seed ended Naomi Osaka’s impressive run in a high-quality contest.
Muchova is also through to a first Wimbledon semi-final – having lost at this stage in 2019 and 2021 – with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over Japan’s Osaka on Court One.
Seventh seed Gauff was hindered by four double faults and 17 unforced errors in the opening set.
But as she has done all tournament, Gauff showed excellent fighting spirit to become the first woman to reach the singles semi-finals with four three-set wins for 30 years.
“I think a lot of people had me going out in the first or second round this tournament,” Gauff joked afterwards.
“After seven years playing in this tournament, it is the first time I’ve walked onto Centre Court and not felt nervous.
“So I don’t know – am I becoming a veteran already?”
Gauff will face either Naomi Osaka or Karolina Muchova, who meet later on Tuesday, for a place in Saturday’s final.
After an excellent opening set, Pegula was ultimately punished for failing to take her opportunities early in the second, having forced three break points in her opponent’s first two games.
The momentum flipped when Gauff capitalised on a poor game from Pegula, breaking to love and maintaining her composure to battle back from 0-30 down as she served out the set to level the match.
The topsy-turvy nature of the contest continued in the final set, but it was Gauff who was able to raise her level when it mattered.
The 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion offered an immediate response to take a 4-3 lead after Pegula had broken back, and celebrated victory on Pegula’s serve with a first match point.
The loss means Pegula’s wait for a first Grand Slam singles title goes on – and she may be left to rue a missed opportunity.
Source:
www.bbc.co.uk
