Karolína Muchová has plenty to celebrate after reaching the semifinal of the 2026 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. The Czech player beat Coco Gauff to make the final four, which was a career first.
Muchová shared her thoughts on the American player and disclosed how she felt after finally beating her.
Karolína Muchová Gives Herself a High Rating After Coco Gauff Match
Muchová had a dispiriting 0-6 record against Gauff heading into their quarterfinal match in Stuttgart. In fact, she had won just one set in six matches, at this year’s Australian Open. Her most recent defeat against the 22-year-old was the semifinal of the Miami Open last month. In the match, Muchová was allowed just two games as her opponent raced to a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
The Czech player couldn’t stop smiling after finally turning the tide at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. In her on-court interview, she said, “She’s obviously one of the best athletes, one of the best tennis players. I didn’t have great matches in the past against her, so I’m really glad I pulled out the first win against Coco.”
The 29-year-old won the first set comfortably, breaking Gauff twice for a 6-3 lead. The American star, however, responded strongly in the second set, going neck and neck before clinching a decisive break in the final moments. Despite the momentum shift, Muchová wasn’t to be denied. She saved five break points in the decider and converted her second break point to ultimately cross the finish line with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 score.
“I’d rate myself above 8, I would say. But it was a great fight. I’m just so happy that I finally, finally beat her,” the 2023 French Open finalist said.
All six of Muchová’s losses against Gauff came on hard courts. She approached their first clay meeting with a clean slate.
“This was actually our first match on a clay court. On clay we were 0-0 on the matches. I tried to keep it positive. I just tried to take advantage of the surface; play my game. It’s a thin line; depends who’s gonna take the lead. It’s just so tough to play against these top players. You just never know.”
Muchova after getting her 1st win against Coco Gauff to reach Stuttgart SF
Karolina: “She’s obviously one of the best athletes, one of the best tennis players. I didn’t have great matches in the past against her so I’m really glad I pulled out the first win against Coco. I’d… pic.twitter.com/r8GoVFbazR
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 17, 2026
“I look at the past matches and I try to find with my team; we try to always find something I could improve — I could try against her and just bring the best out of me,” the World No. 12 continued.
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After her win against Coco Gauff, Karolína Muchová, who previously beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Elise Mertens, faces Elina Svitolina for a place in the final. She holds a 0-3 record against the Ukrainian player.
