Coco Gauff overcomes serving woes to reach Wimbledon semi-finals for first time

SEMIS BOUND: Coco Gauff celebrates victory following her Ladies' Singles match against Jessica Pegula. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Coco Gauff recovered from a serving crisis to smash her way into a maiden Wimbledon semi-final with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory over American compatriot Jessica Pegula.

The battle between the former doubles pair initially tipped in favour of fourth seed Pegula after Gauff served up six double faults during her first seven service games, but the two-time grand slam champion wrestled back control and seven aces helped book her place in the last four.

World number seven Gauff had struggled to reproduce her best form on grass since bursting onto the scene at Wimbledon as a 15-year-old in 2019 and had never gone beyond the last 16 at SW19 until this year, but she roared in delight after this latest three-set success.

“Honestly, it’s pretty insane, considering I hadn’t won a match on grass in two years before this tournament,” Gauff said during her on-court interview.

“Just really happy with the way I played. Jess is an incredible player and opponent, it is never easy playing her and I am just happy to get through.

“After seven years playing this tournament, it is finally the first time I can walk on Centre Court and not feel nervous. I don’t know if I’m becoming a vet!

“I’m just really enjoying the process of being here, playing at Wimbledon, it’s so special and thank you guys for coming out.” Pegula made her main draw debut at Wimbledon in 2019, but this last eight tie was her first on Centre Court.

Gauff had frequently played in the 14,979-seater arena and yet she was soon embroiled in a serving crisis.

Gauff sent down nine double faults in a hard-fought win over Belinda Bencic and two more in the opening game against Pegula resulted in a first break.

A slack sixth game by Pegula offered Gauff a lifeline, but the 22-year-old responded to her own break with more double-fault woe and the first set got away from her.

When Gauff produced another double fault at the start of the second after a quick dash off Centre Court, her frustration was clear for all to see.

However, the former US Open and French Open champion was not ready to go down without a fight and a stunning backhand winner earned a big hold before a 126mph ace at deuce hinted at light at the end of the tunnel.

Another ace followed to earn a 4-3 lead and with serve finally under control, Gauff sensed the moment and a smash at the net signalled her intent before Pegula proceeded to double fault to gift her rival the upper hand.

A wonderful lob by Pegula fashioned 15-30 but Gauff stayed calm with a slow 93mph serve out wide backed up by an ace to force a decider.

With a maiden semi-final berth at Wimbledon in sight, a deft volley helped Gauff claim an early break in the third set before it was repelled by Pegula, but the seventh seed would not be denied and reeled off three games in a row to become the last American woman standing.