Seventh-seeded Coco Gauff punched her ticket to the Wimbledon semifinals with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula on Tuesday.
Gauff recorded her fourth consecutive three-set win and registered seven aces en route to dispatching her former doubles partner in 1 hour and 48 minutes at the All England Club.
A two-time major champion, Gauff reached the semifinals of the grass-court Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
“Honestly, pretty insane. Considering I hadn’t won a match on grass in two years before this tournament. I’m definitely just really happy with how I played today,” Gauff said in her post-match interview.
“Jess is an incredible opponent and person, playing against her is never easy. I’m just happy to get through this one today.”
Gauff responded from a disastrous first set and overcame two break points in the opening game of the second before seizing control of the contest. A more disciplined style of play reduced her unforced errors, and she served out the second set.
Gauff broke Pegula to claim a 2-1 lead in the third and regained the advantage at 4-3 before winning the match.
“After 7 years of playing this tournament, it’s finally the first time I can walk on this Centre Court and I didn’t feel nervous,” said Gauff, 22. “I don’t know if I’m becoming a vet or … I don’t know.”
Gauff will face the winner between No. 10 Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic and No. 14 Naomi Osaka of Japan.
–Field Level Media
