Muchova Edges Gauff In Epic Tiebreak To Reach First Wimbledon Final
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| Muchova stuns Gauff |
Despite 12 double faults from Gauff, Muchova had to survive a match point and a time violation to book her spot in Saturday’s Wimbledon final.
Muchova beats Gauff 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(10) to reach first Wimbledon final...
The 10th-seeded Czech survived a match point against Coco Gauff, prevailing 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(10) in a thriller on Thursday.
In brutal heat on Centre Court, Muchova kept her composure in the decider’s tiebreak to seal the 2-hour, 35-minute win.
Muchova awaits the winner of Thursday’s second semi-final between fellow Czech Linda Noskova, the No. 9 seed, and Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk.
The Wimbledon final will mark Muchova’s second Grand Slam championship match, following her run to the final at the 2023 French Open.
For Muchova, the semi-final was a breakthrough at a tournament that had haunted her.
The 29-year-old Czech had fallen in the first round in all four of her prior Wimbledon appearances.
Though Coco Gauff led the rivalry 6-1, Muchova had the edge in their most recent match in Stuttgart and used that momentum to defeat the two-time Grand Slam winner once more.
“It sounds really nice to be in the final. It was such a big fight. You are up and down, no time to think but it was very nerve-wracking,” Muchova said.
Muchova’s career was once derailed by injuries, but she’s now realizing the talent that made her a top player. Her run at Wimbledon over the past two weeks has even caught her off guard.
She manages a grass allergy with “pills, sprays, eyedrops,” yet the courts at the All England Club have become a place she’s comfortable on.
Finally Healthy
Muchova is finally free of the injury cycle that has plagued her in recent years. She’s dealt with issues to her right wrist, left wrist, abdomen, back, thigh, ankle and foot.
In 2022 doctors told Muchova she should consider walking away from tennis. Then right wrist surgery kept her out for 10 months across 2023 and 2024.
Now she’s one win from her first Grand Slam title.
Gauff, the No. 7 seed, has battled her serve all tournament. She leads the WTA this year in double faults.
Muchova capitalized on the serve issues, breaking twice in the first set for a 3-0 and 5-1 lead.
An ace sealed the opener, after which Gauff retreated to the locker room to compose herself.
The American made 12 unforced errors in the first set, but responded with the fight she’s known for. The second set was night and day.
With a steadier serve and renewed purpose, Gauff broke for 3-1 and closed it out emphatically to force a decider.
The third set unfolded as a nerve-shredding contest. Both women fended off break points while the tension climbed, with Muchova also appearing to nurse an abdominal problem.
Unbeaten in tie-breaks this season, Muchova extended that record with flair - launching herself full length to punch away a volley winner that earned a nod of respect from Gauff.
A time violation at 8-8 for delaying her serve unsettled the Czech. She responded by firing a forehand wide, gifting Gauff a match point.
Unfazed, Muchova kept pushing and eventually sealed the biggest win of her career.
Gauff failed to capitalize, sending a timid drop shot into the net.
Muchova lifted a delicate lob over her to create match point, only to lose her footing at the net as Gauff drilled a winner past her.
She didn’t blink. Muchova kept the pressure on and finished off the most significant victory of her career.
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