Coco Gauff has officially reached her first Wimbledon semi-final following a hard-fought comeback victory against Jessica Pegula. Despite a difficult start against the world number four, who entered the match as the highest-ranked player remaining in the singles draw, Gauff turned the momentum around to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
A Remarkable Milestone
At 22 years old, Gauff has become the youngest player to reach the semi-finals at all four Grand Slams since Maria Sharapova, who achieved the feat at the 2007 French Open. Following this victory, Gauff is scheduled to face Karolina Muchova for a place in the final. The Czech 10th seed secured her spot by defeating Naomi Osaka in a high-quality encounter.
The Road to the Semi-Finals
Karolina Muchova earned her own maiden Wimbledon semi-final berth by defeating Japan's Naomi Osaka on Court One with a score of 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Having previously fallen at this stage in both 2019 and 2021, Muchova will be looking to break new ground when she faces Gauff on Saturday.
Fighting Spirit
The seventh-seeded Gauff faced significant obstacles during the opening set, hampered by four double faults and 17 unforced errors. However, maintaining the competitive spirit she has demonstrated throughout the tournament, she became the first woman in 30 years to reach the singles semi-finals by winning four separate three-set matches.
Speaking after the match, Gauff jokingly remarked that many people expected her to exit the tournament in the first or second round. She added that after playing in this tournament for seven years, it was the first time she walked onto Centre Court without feeling nervous, prompting her to jokingly ask if she was becoming a veteran.
Missed Opportunities
For Jessica Pegula, the defeat marked a bitter end to her campaign. Although she dominated the opening set, she struggled to capitalize on early opportunities during the second, failing to convert three break points in her opponent’s first two games. The shift in momentum came when Gauff broke to love and regained her composure to serve out the set.
The final set remained intense with frequent momentum swings, but Gauff proved more clinical when it mattered most. The 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion responded immediately after Pegula broke back, establishing a 4-3 lead and clinching the win on her opponent’s serve on the first match point. Pegula’s pursuit of a first Grand Slam singles title continues as she reflects on a match of missed chances.
