Muchova beats Gauff in deciding tie-break to reach Wimbledon final

Hello and welcome to coverage from Wimbledon on women’s semi-final day.

Our opening match is Coco Gauff vs Karolina Muchova on Centre Court. For the ninth successive year, there will be a first-time women’s champion.

World No 7 Gauff, the highest seed left, is ‌the only one of ‌those left standing who even knows what ⁠it is like to lift a Grand Slam trophy – having done so at the US and French Opens.

But even she is surprised with her run to the Wimbledon semis as she had been left scarred following her poor showings on turf in recent years.

“If you told me I would be in the semis … I’d be, ‘You’re funny’. Especially … the last two ⁠years not winning anything on here,” said the 22-year-old American who has been a regular visitor to Wimbledon since 2019 when she beat Venus Williams in the first round as a 15-year-old schoolgirl.

“Do I feel like Wimbledon is part of my destiny? If you asked me seven days ago, the answer would have been no. Honestly, I was writing it off a little bit.

“But I hope it is part of my destiny, whether it’s this year or in ​the future. I definitely would love to see my name on the champions’ ‌wall, for sure.”

Gauff holds a psychological 6-1 advantage over 10th seed Muchova going into the match. Muchova produced a classy display to beat Naomi Osaka on Tuesday and should be a tough test for Gauff.

“Well, she is just, like, great athlete overall,” Muchova said. “One of the best in the world, in our sport. It was tough to play against her. I’m happy we have 0-0 on the grass. That’s a bit better balance for me there.

“Yeah, I mean, she gives you a lot of balls back. She has a lot of weapons. She is big fighter, which as well gives a lot of, yeah, things to her game to make it awkward for me.”