Coco Gauff will not be adding a Wimbledon title this year to her French Open and US Open crowns after the 22-year-old was beaten by Karolina Muchova via a remarkably tense 10-point tiebreak.

Gauff was the highest seed remaining among the women’s semi-finalists at SW19 and aiming to become the first American to win Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016.

Yet Muchova conquered Gauff in a showdown dripping in drama by the end on Centre Court, securing the tiebreak 12-10 in a 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 victory which took two-and-a-half hours.

A run of five games in a row helped Muchova, who was the oldest woman to have reached these semi-finals at 29 years old, to stroll to the first set in 39 minutes.

Gauff chose to leave Centre Court to reset. She had to up her intensity in order to remain in this contest, and did just that. It was in Muchova’s second service game that the seventh seed secured three break points at Love-40. Gauff was unable to take the first or the second, but questionable decisions from Muchova helped her claim the third en route to claiming the second set 6-1.

Late in the deciding set, Gauff had an opportunity to break Muchova. A BBC mishap meant viewers at home could suddenly hear Clare Balding’s voice invading the commentary feed. ‘Right, here we go, she’s gonna break here,’ Balding seemed to say.

Gauff did not, however. Muchova held with this match locked on serve to one of the most tense 10-point tiebreaks that Centre Court has witnessed.

Muchova began holding her abs after each point, as if carrying a minor injury. But she seized an early 4-1 lead in the race to 10. However, Gauff gutsily clawed it back to 6-6.

A double fault arrived at the worst-possible moment for the American, handing Muchova the opportunity to reach the Wimbledon final, requiring two points from two serves. However, the drama was only just starting.

At 8-8 and with Muchova serving, whoever won this next rally would have a match point immediately after. Muchova took too long. She received a warning for a time violation, and then struck long. Gauff only had to win her next point on serve to win. The shot appeared unmissable as the ball sat up for Gauff. Rather than strike a winner, she attempted the drop shot, and found nothing but net.

Muchova lobbed Gauff to give herself a match point, and she was serving, but then she too threw away what appeared a sure thing as she slipped as the ball flew by her.

However, when Muchova sent a backhand down the line, Gauff got there, but netted her forehand, and exited Wimbledon.