US player Coco Gauff returns against US player Jessica Pegula during their women’s singles quarter-final tennis match on the ninth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE
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Coco Gauff has won two Grand Slam titles but she had never made a deep run on the grass at Wimbledon.
Until now.
The No. 7 seed came back from one set down to defeat her fellow American, No. 4 Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, to reach her first Wimbledon semifinal.
With Pegula serving at 3-5, 30-40 in the third set, she dumped a backhand into the net, and Gauff raised her hands in the air to celebrate. Gauff was 4-for-4 on converting break points.
Gauff served 76% in the third set and controlled the tempo from the baseline.
“Honestly, pretty insane,” Gauff said on court. “Considering I hadn’t won a match on grass in 2 years before this tournament. I’m definitely just really happy with how I played today. Jess is an incredible opponent and person, playing against her is never easy. I’m just happy to get through this one today.”
Gauff, 22, and Pegula, 32, were the first pair of American ladies’ top-10 seeds to meet at Wimbledon since Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus in the 2009 final, per ESPN.
Gauff is now the highest remaining seed in the women’s draw and will face the winner between No. 14 Naomi Osaka and No. 10 Karolina Muchova in Thursday’s semis.
“I like the winner of this match going all the way,” ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez said on air. “The way that Coco moves, the way that she can attack the net, she’s going to be really hard to beat.”
Pegula, the daughter of billionaire Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula, still has never been past the quarters at Wimbledon and is still seeking her first major title.
Gauff earns approximately $1.24 million for making the semis.
The winner takes home close to $5 million and the runner up approximately $2.48 million.
In the decisive third set, Gauff broke Pegula with a low passing shot winner for a 2-1 lead.
But Pegula broke back for 3-all when Gauff netted a forehand on break point.
Gauff then immediately reset and broke Pegula at love for 4-3 when Pegula netted a forehand off a deep service return.
Serving at 3-4 in the second set, Pegula double-faulted at 0-40, giving Gauff a 5-3 lead.
Gauff then seized the second set with a 117 mph ace to even it at one set all.