Karolina Muchova ousts Coco Gauff to advance to first Wimbledon final

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.

She totaled just two double faults, but one came at a very inopportune time, giving Muchova an 8-7 lead in the tiebreak.

Gauff also earned a shot at match point, but failed to capitalize when she hit a drop shot attempt into the net from just a few feet away.

Muchova, who often held onto her right midsection and grimaced, clinched match point just minutes later when Gauff hit her final forehand into the net.

"I was trying to catch a breath," Muchova said.

Muchova established her grass-court comfort early on, breaking Gauff twice in the first set for a 5-1 edge. She sizzled an ace into the lawn for opening set point.

Gauff rallied in the bridge set, often running to the net to rush Muchova. She broke the Czech in the fourth and sixth game for a commanding 5-1 edge. She earned set point off an errant Muchova backhand to tie the match.

Gauff and Muchova each held through the first dozen games of the final set and exchanged the first two points of the tiebreak. Muchova claimed three-consecutive triumphs for a 4-1 advantage, but Gauff surged to tie the tiebreak 6-6.

She then recorded her brutal double fault, hitting a serve into the net to trail 8-7. But Muchova went long on a return to give Gauff her match point opportunity.

Muchova capitalized on Gauff's blunder with a towering lob behind the American for a mini break. Gauff fended off match point with a simmering forehand past her foe to tie the tiebreak at 10-10.

Muchova, who is now 29-0 this year when winning the first set, ended the match when Gauff failed to clear the net with her final return.

Muchova will take on Kostyuk or Noskova of Czechia in the Wimbledon 2026 women's singles final at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday in London.

Gauff is on track to move up to No. 4 in the WTA rankings thanks to her run at Wimbledon. Muchova, who is set to move to No. 6, could eclipse Gauff in the rankings if she wins Saturday's finale.

No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany will take on No. 114 Arthur Fery of the United Kingdom in the first Wimbledon 2026 men's singles semifinal at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the All-England Club. No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy will meet No. 8 Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the second semifinal after that match on Center Court.