Coco Gauff battled back from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in an all-American quarter-final on Centre Court on Tuesday, reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the first time. The two-time grand slam champion is now the highest seed remaining in the women's singles after a tournament defined by stunning upsets.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek was knocked out on Saturday, losing to the inspired Alexandra Eala in straight sets on Centre Court. The 21-year-old Filipina dropped to the floor in celebration after earning the biggest win of her career, also reaching the fourth round at a grand slam for the first time.
“Coco Gauff is the highest seed remaining after defending champion Iga Swiatek and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka were knocked out.”
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who had been hoping to add her name to the Wimbledon board, then fell to Naomi Osaka in the fourth round, 6-2, 7-6. Osaka is chasing a first grass-court major herself.
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 champion and this year's Australian Open winner, exited in the third round, losing 7-6, 6-1 to Elise Mertens. Mirra Andreeva, another 2026 grand slam champion, also suffered an early exit, falling to 2024 Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova.
The result is that a new champion will be crowned – the ninth different winner in the past nine editions of this slam, a trend that will continue now all past champions are out.
Gauff, who has already won the US Open and Roland-Garros, is chasing a first Wimbledon title. She will play in the semi-finals on Day 11, with the women taking centre stage at SW19. The women's singles looks as open as ever.