Coco Gauff Falls Short in Epic Wimbledon Semifinal Battle
Coco Gauff's Wimbledon title hopes were dashed in a thrilling semifinal match against Karolina Muchova, who will face Linda Noskova in the all-Czech final. Gauff's 19th attempt to win a major after dropping the first set ended in defeat.
Coco Gauff, the No. 7 seed, fell to No. 10 Karolina Muchova in the Wimbledon semifinals, losing 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(10) in 2 hours, 35 minutes. Muchova will face No. 9 Linda Noskova in the final on Saturday.
Gauff had been 6-1 against Muchova coming into the match, but Muchova's determination and skill ultimately paid off. Gauff's 19th attempt to win a major after dropping the first set ended in defeat.
Muchova, who is into her second major final, will face Noskova in the all-Czech final. Noskova, who is into her first Slam final, will look to become the latest Czech women's star to win the Wimbledon title.
Gauff, who had been 18-0 in major matches after dropping the first set, was unable to convert a match point and fell short in the semifinals. Muchova, on the other hand, improved to 29-0 this year when winning the first set.
The match was a rollercoaster ride, with both players elevating their level of play in the third-set tiebreak. Muchova raced out to a 4-1 lead, but Gauff fought back to tie the set at 8-8. In the end, Muchova's determination paid off, and she ended the match with a two-handed backhand winner that Gauff hit into the net.
Gauff made 12 unforced errors against 7 winners in the first set and was 0-for-5 on break chances. Muchova, on the other hand, lost just one set en route to the semis.
In the 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.
Muchova, 29, improved to 29-0 this year when winning the first set, while Gauff, 22, had 10 wins after dropping the first set. Muchova grabbed at her left side during the latter stages of the match but said afterward that she was "good."
"It was such a big fight," Muchova said on court. "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."
The all-Czech final will take place on Saturday, with Muchova and Noskova looking to become the latest Czech women's stars to win the Wimbledon title.
category: match_report