Gauff delivers a show of strength by defeating Pegula at Wimbledon

Coco Gauff is already in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2026. The American player staged a convincing comeback against Jessica Pegula, winning by 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a match that confirmed her extraordinary improvement on grass and keeps her chances alive to reclaim the title of the best American female tennis player in the WTA ranking.

The start of the match favored Pegula, who took the initiative from the baseline and managed to set an uncomfortable pace for her compatriot. However, the world number four let several important chances slip away in the second set, allowing Gauff to find the balance she needed to turn the match around.

Gauff withstands Pegula's attacks in a second set where she seemed to dominate

At that moment, Coco's best version emerged. Her backhand once again made the difference, both in terms of solidity and the ability to change the direction of the ball, while her forehand operated with much greater aggression than in previous rounds. This was complemented by outstanding mobility, reaching almost every ball and constantly forcing Pegula to play an extra stroke.

Another highlight of her performance was the tactical variety. Gauff alternated pace changes, added great depth to her shots, and once again demonstrated that she is increasingly comfortable at the net, a skill that could be crucial on the lawns of London. This combination eventually neutralized Pegula, who, despite opting for an offensive style of play for much of the match, began to lose confidence as the match progressed.

With this victory, Gauff keeps alive her chances of reclaiming the title of the best American on the circuit, although she will need to win the championship in London to achieve that. Beyond the ranking, her performance gives reason for optimism. Her game is rapidly improving on grass, reaffirming that she now has the necessary skills to aspire to win Wimbledon.