Czech Karolina Muchova (pictured) beat American Coco Gauff in three sets in a Wimbledon 2026 semifinal Thursday in London. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
July 9 (UPI) -- Karolina Muchova warred multiple formidable foes in her first Wimbledon semifinal, overcoming harsh heat, weathering nagging pain and repelling American Coco Gauff on Thursday to clinch her ticket to the finale.
"It was a big fight," the No. 9 Czech said on the ESPN broadcast. "It was a rollercoaster. You are up and down, match point down, no time to think, very nerve-wracking."
With the win, Muchova earned a spot in Saturday's final, where she will meet either No. 13 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine or No. 12 Linda Noskova of Czechia. Kostyuk and Noskova also are first-time semifinalists.
Muchova broke Gauff twice in the 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(10) victory in London. Gauff held a 32-31 edge in winners, but converted just two of 13 break point chances in the 1-hour, 59-minute meeting.
