Wimbledon 2026: Gauff Survives Liu Scare to Set Up Bencic Clash

Coco Gauff battles past Claire Liu

Gauff looked in control early but had to reset after Liu forced a second-set tiebreak. The 22-year-old then pulled away in the third to book a fourth-round clash.

Gauff edges Liu 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2 to equal best all England club result...

Seventh seed Coco Gauff matched her best Wimbledon result on Thursday, battling past fellow American Claire Liu 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2 to reach the fourth round and stay in the hunt for a third Grand Slam title.

The 22-year-old, already a US Open and French Open champion, came into the All England Club looking to improve on last year’s first-round exit. She started strongly against Liu and looked set for a straightforward win to boost her grass-court record.

Gauff breezed through the first set and looked set for a routine win, but world No. 146 Liu fought back. She saved three match points in the second set and forced a tiebreak as dusk settled over Court One.

“I think I'm not playing my best tennis,” Gauff admitted in her on-court interview, though she said there were positives.

“I think today I served well as I did in my last match, I held when I needed to. I ⁠definitely feel more confident.”

Gauff went too passive in the tiebreak and let qualifier Liu seize the moment to level the match at a set all. But she reset quickly in the third, breaking right away after pushing Liu into an error with a deep backhand.

Gauff: 'Glad' Wasted Chances Didn't Derail Wimbledon

“Yeah, I'm just happy to get through,” Gauff added.

“I had some opportunities to close it out in the second set, but I'm glad I didn't let that derail me and was able to come out with a win today.

“I felt better today. I think Claire stepped up her level and I definitely had my opportunities with some of ‌those match points, but it's only experiences that you can learn from.”

Fourth round. Second week. @CocoGauff equals her best run at #Wimbledon 👏 pic.twitter.com/RGIjKvvP1P

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2026

 

Liu put Gauff’s serve to the test in the next few games, but once the double Slam winner moved 5-2 ahead she never looked back. The win sets up a fourth-round meeting with Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic.