Karolina Muchova defeated Coco Gauff, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the Stuttgart quarter-finals.
It was Muchova’s first win over Gauff, having lost each of their previous six meetings.
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The 29-year-old was understandably delighted with the win, as she booked her place in the semi-finals.
Karolina Muchova celebrates ‘finally, finally’ beating Coco Gauff
“She [Coco Gauff] is obviously one of the best athletes, one of the best tennis players,” said Muchova.
“We’ve had great matches, just really glad I pulled out the first win against Coco.
Karolina Muchova and Coco Gauff’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2023 Cincinnati Open – F | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2023 US Open – SF | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2024 China Open – F | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 6-3 |
| 2025 United Cup – SF | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2026 Australian Open – 4R | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 |
| 2026 Miami Open – SF | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2026 Stuttgart – QF | Karolina Muchova | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 |
“I would rate myself, I don’t know? Above an eight, I would say.
“But it was a great fight, and I’m just so happy that I finally, finally beat her.”
Muchova used her losing 0-6 record as motivation to win her first clay-court encounter with the world number three.
“This was actually the first match on a clay court, so it was actually 0-0, I try to keep it positive!” she said.
“I just tried to take advantage of the surface, play my game, and then it was really, again, as I said in the match before, it’s a thin line, it just depends on who is going to take the lead, it’s just so tough to play against these top players, you just never know, I would say.”
Karolina Muchova vs Coco Gauff – Match stats
| Stats | Karolina Muchova | Coco Gauff |
| Aces | 4 | 4 |
| Double faults | 1 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% | 68% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 66% | 62% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 58% | 58% |
| Break points | 5/7 | 3/15 |
Muchova touched on the work she put in to overcome Gauff and was also asked about her unique game style.
“No, of course I look at the past matches, and with my team I try to find something that I could try against her, and bring the best out of me, and see how it goes in the match,” she said.
“Coaches [taught me the game], as a kid, I was already playful, I liked to play this kind of game.
“I was lucky enough to have people around me who taught me this way and didn’t want me to change, and just improved this style.
“It’s fun for me, I like to play like that and continue to improve.”
She might need to improve even more when she returns for her semi-final match.
Who will Karolina Muchova play in the Stuttgart semi-finals?
Muchova will play Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the Stuttgart semi-finals.
The interviewer was quick to remind Muchova that she has a losing head-to-head record against Svitolina, too.
“You’re really putting me down to the ground in this interview!” said Muchova.
“Reminding me of all the best results I’ve had!
“I didn’t even know I was 0-3 against her, but thank you…
Karolina Muchova and Elina Svitolina’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2019 Qatar Open – QF | Elina Svitolina | Karolina Muchova | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2019 Wimbledon – QF | Elina Svitolina | Karolina Muchova | 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2025 Miami Open – 3R | Elina Svitolina | Karolina Muchova | 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 |
“I don’t know, I just finished this match, I didn’t even think about what is coming.
“I just want to enjoy this and then I’ll look later.”
Svitolina beat Linda Noskova in straight sets to book her place in the semi-finals.
Muchova and Svitolina will battle it out for a place in the final on Saturday, but who would they meet in the championship match?
2026 Stuttgart semi-finals
- SF 1 – Elina Svitolina defeated Linda Noskova
- SF 2 – Karolina Muchova defeated Coco Gauff
- SF 3 – Iga Swiatek vs Mirra Andreeva
- SF 4 – Elena Rybakina vs Leylah Fernandez
Muchova or Svitolina will play Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva, Elena Rybakina, or Leylah Fernandez in the Stuttgart final on Sunday, April 19.
