​Coco Gauff has faced challenges at Wimbledon throughout her career, and Friday’s third-round match against Claire Liu nearly added another upset to her record. Gauff dropped the second-set tiebreak after a strong start, but she rallied in the decider to prevail 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 and move on to the fourth round.
Gauff began strongly, taking the first set 6-3. Liu fought back in the second, forcing a tiebreak that swung in Liu’s favor due to a late double fault from Gauff. The momentum carried into a decisive third set, where Gauff seized an early lead by taking the first two games. Liu answered with her own offense, trimming the gap, and the two players traded holds to stay within reach. Gauff then increased the pressure, winning the next two games to stand one game from victory. She closed it out after leading 5-2 in the final set, securing her spot in the Wimbledon fourth round for the fourth time in her career.
Wimbledon has historically been the toughest Grand Slam for Gauff, and this result brings her to the Round of 16 at this event for the fourth time. After capturing the U.S. Open in 2023 and the French Open in 2025, Gauff remains chasing the final pieces of a career Grand Slam, with Wimbledon and the Australian Open as the remaining titles to complete the set. Her best Australian Open run to date was the 2024 semifinal, leaving hope that she can match or surpass that performance while continuing her Wimbledon success.
Liu, ages 26, achieved a personal milestone by reaching the third round at Wimbledon, her deepest Grand Slam run to date. Although she had previously appeared in 19 Grand Slam events without advancing past the second round, she pushed Gauff to a decisive third set before falling.
Gauff will face Belinda Bencic in the fourth round on Sunday. Based on seeding, Gauff enters as a narrow favorite over Bencic, who is ranked No. 11. The two have met seven times, with Gauff holding a 5-2 edge in their head-to-head matchups.