Wimbledon 2026: Kostyuk v Noskova; Muchova beats Gauff in thriller to reach final – live

Updates from Thursday's semi-final action in SW19
Wimbledon Q&A with Tumaini Carayol | Mail Katy

Gauff does hold a 6-1 lead in their head-to-head, by the way, but I'm not sure we can read too much into that, as none of those matches were on grass. Gauff, arguably the best competitor in the women's game, has made an art out of winning ugly" - the phrase made famous by her former coach Brad Gilbert - and has consistently found a way to come through three-setters during this tournament even when she's not been at her best. She may well need all that fight to combat Muchova's mix of power and touch - which is so dangerous on grass - especially if Gauff's serve and forehand wobble, as they sometimes do. Gauff's backhand, though, is brilliant. Will temperament + backhand or power + hands prevail? It's going to be so fun finding out.

And here they come to a big cheer from the crowd, not that it's quite as warm as the red-hot weather, with the current temp around 33C, and not that Gauff can properly hear it either, because she's got her headphones - and game face - on.