Muchova manages her nerves to defeat Gauff

Karolina Muchova kept a grip on her nervous energy in a taut third-set tiebreak to upset Coco Gauff 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (10) to reach the Wimbledon final on Thursday.

The Czech whose career has been blighted by various injuries, will play for Grand Slam honors on Saturday against the winner from Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.

Muchova came through on her second match point in the 10-point final-set tiebreaker as Gauff hit the net with a running forehand return after nearly two and three-quarter hours.

The semi-final was played one one of the hottest days of this heatwave fortnight, with temperatures in the lower 30s Celsius.

Muchova appeared to occasionally be favouring her right abdomen but said it was no cause for concern.

The 29-year-old 10th seed will be playing the biggest match of her career in the final after having won two of her three career titles this season at Doha and Bad Homburg.

“It sounds really nice to hear being in the final,” the winner said. “It was such a big fight, a roller-coaster.

“You are up , then down, match point up then match point down. I had no time to think, it was very nerve-wracking.

“I don’t know what I’m saying right now, I’m shaking. I’m just trying to take it all in.”

Muchova advanced to the title match with 31 winners and 32 unforced errors while two-time Grand Slam winner Gauff had 32 and 35.

Muchova, who had a training hit with good friend and fellow semi-finalist Noskova, was playing her first-ever match on Centre Court.

“Not so many players get to play here,” she said. “It has such a history in our sport.”

The Czech challenger improved to 6-0 in tiebreaks during 2026. She has won all three combined matches she has played against Kostyuk (2-0) and compatriot Noskova (1-0). 

Main photo:- Karolina Muchova celebrates by Roger Parker / ISF ltd