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Coco Gauff beats race against curfew clock with late-night victory against Bencic
Gauff seals three-set win just two minutes before 11pm
American ‘not used to racing against time’
Coco Gauff’s dream of winning a first Wimbledon title is still alive after a hard-fought, race-against-time victory over Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. After the latest start in Wimbledon history, at 8.40pm, the American dropped the first set but fought back to clinch a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win, finishing just two minutes before the 11pm curfew.
Gauff hit nine double faults, including five in one game in the first set, but the quality of ball-striking was immense and the No 7 seed held her nerve to get the job done and reach the quarter-finals for the first time. The 22-year-old will now play another American, Jessica Pegula, for a place in the semis.