Karolina Muchova saved a match point before coming through an epic deciding-set tie-break to beat Coco Gauff and secure a first Wimbledon final against fellow Czech Linda Noskova.
Muchova started the semi-final the stronger of the pair but Gauff hit back, and they could barely be separated in a high-quality third set.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff came back from 4-1 down in the resulting tie-break and had match point on her serve, before sending a simple forehand into the net tape.
Muchova, the 10th seed, also missed her first match point but it was she who stood triumphant at the end after an astonishing 6-2 1-6 7-6 (12-10) win in sweltering conditions on Centre Court.
Muchova had reached four major semi-finals before Thursday’s match against Gauff, but only once made the final – at the 2023 French Open, where she was beaten in three sets by Iga Swiatek.
