Karolina Muchova beat Coco Gauff for the first time ever to advance to the semifinals of the Stuttgart Open.
In her seventh attempt, Muchova finally clinched a win over the American, triumphing 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 at the WTA 500 event.
Gauff had dropped just one set across her six previous meetings with the Czech star, all of which came on hard court.
Who is America’s best female player right now?
The 22-year-old looked to be making a comeback in their first clay-court clash after going a set down, but Muchova held firm in the decider.
Following her victory, Muchova revealed what was different this time compared to their last six battles on the WTA Tour.
Karolina Muchova reacts to her victory over Coco Gauff
Speaking in her post-match press conference, Muchova said: “Yeah, it was our first meeting on clay.
“We’ve never played before. But I think she’s an unbelievable player on clay, like, I feel her last-year clay season, Roland Garros champion, just incredible mover.
“So I just knew that I have to play really well to get a chance to win. I just tried to play my game, as well.
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
“As I mentioned, I tried to slice it up, break her rhythm, and yeah, it was working today.”
With the win, Muchova set up a semifinals showdown with Elina Svitolina, against whom she trails 3-0 in the head-to-head.
Karolina Muchova says the clay surface is familiar to her
Asked if her effective sliding on a clay court was something she has worked on, Muchova said: “Not really, to be honest, but obviously I’m from Europe, from Czech Republic, I was growing up on the clay court, so the surface is familiar to me.
“I just like it, you know. I like, as well, going from hard court to the clay, I kind of enjoy every specific of any surface, and I like clay.
“Yeah, just getting used to it, and I think match by match I’m better and better timing-wise and sliding and all that.”
Clay is statistically Muchova’s best surface, with the 29-year-old having tallied a win percentage of 65% on the dirt, compared to 69% on hard and 52% on grass.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
