Coco Gauff overcame a resilient Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-2 in a Wimbledon third-round match that extended past the All England Club's 11pm curfew, securing her place in the fourth round. The match, which began on Centre Court under the closed roof, concluded at 11:15pm local time, with Gauff breaking Bencic's serve in the final game to seal victory.
Match Details and Key Moments
The 20-year-old American, seeded second, faced a stern test from Bencic, the 13th seed from Switzerland. Gauff saved three break points in the opening set before converting her own chance to take it 7-5. In the second set, she raced to a 4-0 lead, but Bencic fought back to narrow the gap to 4-2. Gauff then held serve and broke again to close out the match.
According to tournament officials, the match was the latest-finishing women's singles match at Wimbledon since 2012, when Serena Williams defeated Zheng Jie in a match that ended at 11:58pm. Gauff acknowledged the late hour in her on-court interview, saying, "I'm just glad we got to finish tonight. It was a great battle against Belinda, and the crowd was amazing."
Curfew Rules and Fan Experience
Wimbledon's strict curfew, designed to minimise disruption to local residents, requires play to cease by 11pm. However, matches already in progress are allowed to finish. The All England Club stated that no matches are scheduled to start after 10:30pm to ensure compliance. Gauff's match began at 9:45pm after the preceding men's match went the distance.
Spectators who remained until the end were treated to a high-quality contest. Bencic, a former Olympic gold medallist, pushed Gauff with powerful groundstrokes and clever drop shots. Gauff, however, displayed composure beyond her years, hitting 28 winners to 15 unforced errors.
Next Round and Tournament Implications
Gauff will face unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian in the fourth round. Cristian advanced after defeating Czech qualifier Linda Noskova 6-3, 7-6 (5). Gauff, who reached the final at the French Open in 2022 and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last year, is aiming for her first Grand Slam title. She has not dropped a set so far in the tournament.
The win extends Gauff's winning streak to nine matches on grass, including her title victory at the Berlin Open last month. With the top half of the draw opening up after early exits by several seeds, Gauff is now considered a strong contender for the championship.
Reactions and Analysis
Tennis pundits praised Gauff's mental fortitude. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash commented, "To handle the pressure of a late-night match against a player like Bencic shows real maturity. Coco is learning how to win even when she's not at her best." Gauff herself acknowledged the challenge, stating, "Belinda makes you work for every point. I had to stay focused and trust my game."
The match also highlighted the ongoing debate about Wimbledon's curfew. Some fans expressed frustration that matches are frequently interrupted or delayed, while others appreciate the tradition. The All England Club has no plans to change the policy, emphasising that it balances the needs of players, spectators, and the local community.
