Fact Czech: They're still dominating the Wimbledon draw

Having exited Wimbledon in the first round in each of her previous four visits, Karolina Muchova is into the semifinals following a 7-6, 6-4 victory over Naomi Osaka. She will meet Coco Gauff for a place in Saturday's final.

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— The Athletic (@theathletic.com) July 7, 2026 at 12:37 PM

There are only four women left standing at Wimbledon, and two of them are Czech players. This shouldn't come as a surprise; Czechs excel on the grass. Martina Navratilova (who won the tournament twice before she changed her citizenship), Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Marketa Vondruosova, and Barbora Krejcikova all won in London (Kvitova won twice). And now, there's a chance for another Czech player to lift the Venus Rosewater dish.

Yesterday, Karolina Muchova--who should have had a brilliant career by now, but the Czech Curse (chronic injury) has repeatedly taken her off of the tour and quashed her momentum) defeated Naomi Osaka in straight sets (7-6, 6-4). Muchova is known for her breathtaking artistry on the court--so much so that she sometimes doesn't get credit for her hard hitting and excellent serve. The Wimbledon semifinal is the sixth one that the Czech star has reached this season; the only other player with that stat is Elina Svitolina.

In yesterday's other quarterfinal match, Coco Gauff defeated countrywoman Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. "Considering I hadn't won a match on grass in two years before this tournament...I'm definitely just really happy with how I played today," the 7th seed said after the match. Pegula said that she established patterns in the match to which she probably should have adhered. She also acknowledged that her serve was off during the quarterfinal.

Today, Marta Kostyuk saw her 2026 season continue to rise in significance. After experiencing an excellent clay season, the Ukrainian player hit the grass in London with her typical fierceness and athleticism. Her straight sets defeat of 2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini places her in her second-ever major semifinal; her other semifinal was in Paris this season. 

In today's other quarterfinal match, Czech player Linda Noskova defeated Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5. Veteran player Mertens, who has had an exceptional career in doubles, had never before advanced beyond the round of 16 at Wimbledon. The match was a close one, and it took Noskova almost two hours to win it. Her serve held up well throughout the match; however, she was able to convert only two of eleven break opportunities. 

Here is the semifinal draw:

Karolina Muchova (10) v. Coco Gauff (7)
Marta Kostyuk (12) v. Linda Noskova (9)

Muchova is 1-6 against Gauff; they have never played each other on grass. Kostyuk and Noskova have played each other only once, on clay. Kostyuk won that match.