Muchova rallies past Gauff in three-set Wimbledon semifinal, reaches first final

Coco Gauff will not add a Wimbledon title to her collection of Grand Slam trophies this year.

The No. 7 seed played an instant classic against No. 10 Karolina Muchova in the semifinals but could not convert a match point, falling 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(10) in 2 hours, 35 minutes on July 9, 2026, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London.

Gauff, 22, entered the match with a 6-1 career record against the Czech player.

Muchova's Resilience

Muchova, 29, improved to 29-0 this year when winning the first set, while Gauff had recorded 10 wins after dropping the opening set. Muchova grabbed at her left side during the latter stages of the match but said afterward that she was "good."

"First of all, it sounds really nice to be in the final," Muchova said on court. "It was such a big fight. It was a rollercoaster. You're up and down. In 10 seconds you have match point and you're match point down. No time to think. But very nerve wracking. I don't know. I don't even know what I'm saying. I'm really kind of shaking and trying to sink it in. The atmosphere is indescribable. Thank you to everyone who came and supported us."

Muchova is bidding to become the latest Czech women's star to win the Wimbledon title. She advances to her second major final after losing the 2023 Roland Garros final to Iga Świątek.

Third-Set Tiebreak Drama

In the decisive tiebreak, both women elevated their level of play. Muchova raced out to a 4-1 lead and hit a diving forehand volley winner for 5-3.

With Muchova serving at 8-all, she received a time violation warning on her serve. She then sailed a backhand long, giving Gauff a match point at 9-8 on her serve.

Gauff could have ended it with a forehand drop shot winner but hit it into the net instead, then smiled.

At 9-all, Muchova hit a brilliant forehand lob winner to bring herself to match point. Muchova had a chance for a forehand volley winner, but Gauff ripped a passing shot for 10-all. Muchova then ripped an inside-out forehand winner for 11-10.

With Gauff serving, Muchova ended the match with a two-handed backhand winner that Gauff hit into the net.

Key Moments in the Decisive Set

In the third set, Gauff had chances to break at 4-all but missed a forehand badly down the line and missed a backhand by a slim margin. Muchova held for 5-4.

First Set

Muchova earned the first break for 2-1 when Gauff netted a forehand on break point. After breaking a second time, Muchova closed out the first set with an ace to take it 6-2.

Gauff made 12 unforced errors against 7 winners in the first set and was 0-for-5 on break chances. Muchova lost just one set en route to the semifinals.

Second Set

Gauff broke for 3-1 with a running backhand winner. She roared back and took advantage of Muchova's errors en route to a 6-1 second set, holding serve at love to close it out.

Gauff had won 18 major matches after dropping the first set, but it was not to be for a 19th time.

What's Next

No. 9 Linda Noskova, also of the Czech Republic, will face No. 12 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the second semifinal following the Gauff-Muchova match.

"There are so many of us tennis players," Muchova said. "I don't think many of us get the chance to play on this court. It's such a history of our sport. It's incredible. Very special moment. We came here to warm up with Linda before the semis. We took a photo. It's a nice moment to experience all of this. This court is beautiful."