American tennis star Coco Gauff has continued her impressive run at Wimbledon 2026, reaching the semifinals of the prestigious Grand Slam for the first time in her career. In a hard-fought match on Tuesday at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club, she defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The match did not start in Gauff's favor, as her vulnerabilities on the grass court were exposed during the first set, allowing Jessica Pegula to take an early lead. However, the No. 7 seed displayed great resilience, making a strong comeback to clinch the next two sets.
Coco Gauff's Historic Achievement
The match, which lasted a total of 1 hour and 48 minutes, saw Coco Gauff join an elite group of seven active players who have reached the semifinals or further in all four Grand Slam tournaments. This list already includes names like Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova, Aryana Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek. Reflecting on her journey, Gauff described the experience as incredible, noting that despite entering the tournament on a four-match losing streak on grass, her ability to adapt has been deeply satisfying. She praised Jessica Pegula as both a formidable opponent and a wonderful person.
A Milestone at the All England Club
Prior to this victory, the 22-year-old had been frequently reminded that she had not advanced past the fourth round since her impressive debut seven years ago. Surpassing that barrier marks a significant milestone in her career. Gauff is now setting her sights on adding to the titles she secured at the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open. For 32-year-old Jessica Pegula, the experience of stepping onto the Centre Court for the first time was memorable, even though she fell short of securing a spot in Friday's semifinals.
Jannik Sinner's Continued Dominance
In the men's draw, reigning champion Jannik Sinner defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3 to book his place in the semifinals. The match, which spanned 2 hours and 35 minutes, forced Jannik Sinner to contend with Struff's aggressive tactical approach. Struff challenged Sinner with powerful forehands and strategic net play, particularly in the second set. However, Sinner maintained his composure during critical moments, relying on his precise serving. He excelled in the tie-break, refusing to be rattled by the pressure. After the match, Jannik Sinner acknowledged that tie-breaks are always a 50/50 proposition, and that the second set was particularly decisive. He capitalized on a slight dip in Struff's first-serve percentage to take control in the third set.
Consistency and Form
Jannik Sinner previously held an impressive 30-match winning streak and attained the career Golden Masters achievement. Although his winning momentum was interrupted by an unexpected loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo at Roland Garros, he has reclaimed his top form on the London grass. Looking ahead, Sinner will face either Novak Djokovic or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals this Friday.
