LONDON – Karolina Muchova saved a match point and battled through a dramatic deciding-set tie-break to defeat Coco Gauff in an epic Wimbledon semifinal on Thursday, setting up an all-Czech women's singles final against fellow compatriot Linda Noskova.
The 10th-seeded Muchova overcame seventh seed Gauff 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (10) in a high-quality contest on Centre Court, where both players produced outstanding tennis under sweltering conditions.
Muchova made the stronger start, taking advantage of Gauff's early unforced errors to establish control. The Czech player broke serve twice and maintained a high level throughout the opening set, closing it out with an ace for a 6-2 lead.
Gauff responded strongly after taking a break before the second set. The American raised her intensity and played with greater aggression from the baseline. After failing on her first eight break-point opportunities, she finally converted her ninth chance with a cross-court backhand winner.
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The momentum quickly shifted as Gauff won four consecutive games to level the match with a 6-1 second-set victory.
The deciding set turned into a thrilling exchange of world-class tennis, with powerful groundstrokes and rapid net play entertaining the 15,000 spectators on Centre Court. Neither player was able to create a decisive advantage, sending the match into a tense tie-break.
Muchova moved ahead 4-1, but Gauff produced a remarkable comeback to level the score at 6-6. The drama continued when Muchova received a time violation at 8-8 and immediately hit long, handing Gauff a match point.
However, Gauff missed the opportunity, sending a routine forehand into the net. Muchova later failed to convert her first match point after slipping on court, but the Czech finally sealed victory on her next chance when Gauff put a low forehand into the net.
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After two hours and 35 minutes, Muchova raised her arms in celebration and struggled to contain her emotions.
"It was a huge fight. It was a rollercoaster -- match point and then match point down. You don't have time to think," said the 29-year-old Czech.
The victory sent Muchova into her second Grand Slam final after her run to the 2023 French Open final, where she lost to Iga Swiatek. She had previously reached four major semifinals before Thursday's match.
In the other semifinal, ninth seed Noskova defeated Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam final.
The 21-year-old Noskova stayed composed throughout the match, maintaining her consistency during key moments. She took the opening set after Kostyuk surrendered the final game with a double fault and secured the decisive break in the second set before holding firm against her opponent's comeback attempt.
Saturday's final will mark the first women's Wimbledon final between two Czech players. It will also be the first women's Grand Slam final featuring two players from the same country since the 2017 US Open final between Americans Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys.
