Wimbledon: Gauff Beats Pegula in Three Sets to Reach First Wimbledon Semi-Final

Gauff outlasts Pegula

Seventh seed Coco Gauff overcame friend and former doubles partner Jessica Pegula in three sets to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Gauff reaches first Wimbledon semi-final with win over former doubles partner Pegula...

Coco Gauff came from a set down to make her first Wimbledon semi-final, defeating friend and ex-doubles partner Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in an all-American Centre Court battle on Tuesday.

 

The seventh seed and two-time Grand Slam champion, now the top-ranked player remaining in the women's draw, was immediately under pressure as fourth seed Pegula broke in the first game.

Gauff looked to be battling herself as much as Pegula. In her first Wimbledon quarter-final, she committed 17 unforced errors and hit four double faults in the first set.

 

The 22-year-old steadied herself in the second set. She saved two break points in the opening game and cut her unforced errors in half.

The 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion took the lead for the first time by breaking Pegula in the decider, but the fourth seed hit straight back to level at 3-3.

Gauff battles through to book Wimbledon semi-final spot

Gauff will play either Naomi Osaka or Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals after breaking straight back, holding serve, and sealing victory on her first match point when Pegula netted a return.

“Pretty insane, honestly,” Gauff said after the match. “Considering how 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.”

Jess is an incredible ‌opponent and person and playing against her is never easy. I'm just happy to get through this one today.

Our first semi-finalist. Her first semi-final.

Coco Gauff advances to a maiden final four at The Championships 👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/vSITDm1KCG

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2026

Gauff, who has gone to three sets in each of her last four matches and is still chasing her first grass-court title, said improving her first-serve percentage and staying calmer in rallies were key turning points.

“I've been going three sets almost every match so I feel like when you have that faith in yourself as a competitor, when ‌the match goes the distance and you lose one set, you're not panicking.”

It was the first time two American women ranked in the top 10 faced each other at Wimbledon since Serena and Venus Williams met in the 2009 final.

"After seven years playing this tournament it's finally the first ⁠time I can walk on Centre ⁠Court and I didn't feel n/ervous,” ‌said Gauff. “I don't know if I'm becoming a vet ...”