Muchova downs Osaka at Wimbledon, Zverev finishes off Lehecka

Karolina Muchova overcame four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan 7-6(4) 6-4 in an absorbing contest of athleticism, shot variety and tight margins on Tuesday to set up a Wimbledon semi-final against American Coco Gauff.

The 29-year-old Czech, seeking a first Grand Slam title, proved the steadier player on a sizzling Court One, producing 21 unforced errors to Osaka's 42 while the pair sent down 24 winners apiece.

Not afraid to come to the net and volley, Muchova took the first set tiebreak with a forehand winner on her third set point.

Osaka, 28 and seeded 14th, had downed top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round.

But consistency deserted her as she served two double faults alongside two aces in the ninth game of the second set and missed a drive volley to drop her serve.

Tenth seed Muchova served out the set, finishing with an ace, to reach her first Wimbledon semi-final.

In the men's draw, Alexander Zverev worked a longer shift than he would have hoped for in the fierce heat as he returned to Centre Court on Tuesday to complete his fourth-round win over Jiri Lehecka and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.

The German second seed had gone to bed the previous evening tantalisingly close to breaking new ground at Wimbledon, leading by two sets and 3-3 in the third under the roof when Wimbledon's strict 11:00 PM curfew halted his progress.

On the resumption, a listless-looking Zverev lost 12 of the first 13 points to drop the third set as Lehecka came out swinging but managed to refocus to win 6-4 7-5 3-6 7-6(6).

Zverev double-faulted on a second match point in the tiebreaker but was spared further overtime as 13th seed Lehecka netted a backhand to end the contest.

His attempt to add the Wimbledon crown to his maiden Grand Slam title at last month's French Open will continue with a heavy-metal last-eight clash with American Taylor Fritz.

"Who would have thought it's only taken me 12 years to get (to my first Wimbledon quarter-final), but I'm incredibly happy and relieved. But of course I want to play three more matches."