The 139th edition of the Wimbledon Championships has reached its decisive phase, with three semifinalists officially confirmed following the completion of key quarterfinal matches on July 7-8, 2026. The prestigious grass-court tournament, held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, continues to produce thrilling encounters as players vie for one of tennis's most coveted titles.
Women's Quarterfinals: Muchova and Gauff Lead the Way
In the women's singles, Czech rising star Karolina Muchova (world No. 9) showcased her formidable skills by defeating Japan's Naomi Osaka (world No. 14) in a compelling two-set match, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Muchova, known for her all-court game and tactical intelligence, played a near-flawless tiebreak to secure the first set and maintained her composure in the second. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, had surprised the tennis world in the round of 16 by eliminating the top seed, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, in a stunning upset. Sabalenka, who had dominated the hard-court season and won the Australian Open earlier this year, struggled with her usually powerful serve against Osaka's precise returns. Despite Osaka's resurgence at Wimbledon—a tournament where she previously reached the semifinals in 2021—Muchova's consistency and strategic variation proved decisive. Muchova, who reached the French Open final in 2024 and has steadily climbed the rankings, will now face American sensation Cori "Coco" Gauff (world No. 7) in the semifinals.
Gauff earned her place by overcoming fellow American Jessica Pegula (world No. 4) in a gripping three-set battle, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The match highlighted the depth of American women's tennis, with both players showcasing aggressive baseline play and athletic movement. Pegula, a consistent top-5 performer known for her solid groundstrokes, took the first set by breaking Gauff's serve twice. However, Gauff, who at 22 has already amassed multiple Grand Slam titles including the 2023 US Open, raised her level in the second and third sets. She utilized her exceptional speed and powerful forehand to dictate rallies, while her improving second serve kept Pegula off balance. Gauff's victory extends her impressive winning streak on grass, a surface that suits her movement and versatility. The semifinal clash between Muchova and Gauff promises to be a tactical duel: Muchova's variety and slices against Gauff's pace and agility. Both players have expressed confidence on grass, with Muchova having reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2023 and Gauff the semifinals in 2024.
The women's draw still has two more quarterfinals scheduled for July 8. Italy's Jasmine Paolini (world No. 17) will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk (world No. 13) in a match that pits Paolini's aggressive baseline game against Kostyuk's powerful serves and dropshots. Paolini, a late bloomer who reached the French Open final in 2025, has found her stride on grass with a strong grass-court season. Kostyuk, known for her fearless approach and all-court abilities, has impressed with victories over seeded players in earlier rounds. The second women's quarterfinal features Czech Linda Nosková (world No. 12) against Belgium's Elise Mertens (world No. 27). Nosková, 21, has emerged as a rising force on the WTA tour, winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2025 US Open. Her powerful serve and forehand make her a threat on grass. Mertens, a seasoned doubles specialist with multiple Grand Slam doubles titles, has found success in singles this fortnight with her crafty net play and tactical serving.
Men's Quarterfinals: Sinner Advances, Djokovic Faces Auger-Aliassime
In the men's singles, world No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner of Italy delivered a masterful performance to defeat Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff (world No. 74) in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Sinner, who has dominated the ATP Tour over the past two years with his relentless baseline aggression and improved net play, faced a tough opponent in Struff—a big-server known for his powerful forehand. The first set was tightly contested until Sinner broke serve at 6-5 with a clinical return. The second set went to a tiebreak, where Sinner's composure and pinpoint shot-making prevailed. In the third set, Sinner accelerated, breaking Struff's serve twice to seal the match. This victory extends Sinner's winning streak to 15 matches on grass, including his title run at the Halle Open last month. The 24-year-old Italian is widely regarded as the favorite to retain his Wimbledon crown, having defeated Novak Djokovic in an epic five-set final in 2025.
One of the most anticipated men's quarterfinals pairs Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime (world No. 4) against legendary Serbian Novak Djokovic (world No. 8). Auger-Aliassime, now 25, has matured into a top contender with his massive serve and athletic court coverage. He reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2024 and has won two Masters 1000 titles this season. Djokovic, despite being 39 and ranked outside the top 5 for the first time in a decade, remains a formidable force on grass. The seven-time Wimbledon champion has struggled with injuries in recent years but has shown glimpses of his best form in this tournament, defeating young stars like Holger Rune and Sebastian Korda. The head-to-head record favors Djokovic (8-3), but Auger-Aliassime has won their last two encounters, including a five-set thriller at the 2025 US Open. This quarterfinal could be a defining moment for the younger generation as they seek to dethrone the veteran.
Another intriguing quarterfinal features Italy's Flavio Cobolli (world No. 10) against Britain's Arthur Fery (world No. 114). Cobolli, a 23-year-old clay-court specialist who has adapted well to grass, has surprised many by reaching the quarterfinals without dropping a set. Fery, a wildcard entrant and rising British talent, has captured the home crowd's imagination with his aggressive serve-and-volley style. The 20-year-old, who trained at the Mouratoglou Academy, has never reached this stage of a Grand Slam and will be playing with nothing to lose. The British hope for a home champion has not been realized since Andy Murray's win in 2016, but Fery's run has injected excitement into the tournament. The quarterfinal will test Cobolli's consistency against Fery's raw power and crowd support.
The final men's quarterfinal sees American Taylor Fritz (world No. 7) take on Germany's Alexander Zverev (world No. 3). Fritz, the US No. 1, has a powerful serve and forehand that thrive on grass. He reached the Wimbledon final in 2024, losing to Sinner, and has since won two grass-court titles. Zverev, a former world No. 2 and two-time Grand Slam champion, has regained his form after a serious ankle injury. His strong return game and improved fitness make him a dangerous opponent. Their head-to-head is tied 4-4, with all matches played on hard courts. The grass court could favor Fritz's big serves and aggressive play, but Zverev's consistency and reach give him an edge in longer rallies.
Tournament Schedule and Prize Money
The women's singles final of the 139th Wimbledon tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, while the men's final will take place on Sunday, July 12. Both matches will be played on Centre Court, with a capacity crowd of nearly 15,000 spectators. The All England Club has announced a record total prize fund of £62.4 million, reflecting the tournament's continued growth and financial commitment to players. The champions in both the women's and men's singles will each receive £3.6 million, a substantial increase from previous years. Last year's champions, Iga Świątek of Poland and Jannik Sinner of Italy, earned the same amount. Świątek, who was upset in the fourth round this year by Naomi Osaka, will not defend her title, leaving the women's draw open for a new champion.
Beyond the prize money, Wimbledon remains a bastion of tennis tradition, with its strict all-white dress code, strawberries and cream, and manicured grass courts. The tournament has a rich history dating back to 1877, and each year it attracts the world's best players seeking to etch their names alongside legends like Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Martina Navratilova. The 2026 edition has already witnessed memorable matches, including Sabalenka's early exit, Djokovic's resilience, and the emergence of young talents like Fery and Nosková. As the semifinal lineup takes shape, tennis fans around the globe eagerly await the crowning of new champions on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon.
Source: Belarusian Telegraph Agency News