Karolina Muchova saved a match point before coming through an epic deciding-set tie-break to beat Coco Gauff and reach a first Wimbledon final.
Muchova started the semi-final the stronger of the pair but Gauff hit back, and they could barely be separated in a high-quality third set.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff came back from 4-1 down in the resulting tie-break and had match point on her serve, before sending a simple forehand into the net tape.
Muchova also missed her first match point but it was she who stood triumphant at the end after an astonishing 6-2 1-6 7-6 (12-10) win in sweltering conditions on Centre Court.
The Czech 10th seed had reached four major semi-finals before Thursday’s match against Gauff, but only once made the final – at the 2023 French Open, where she was beaten in three sets by Iga Swiatek.
But Muchova will get another shot at Grand Slam glory on Saturday, where she will face either compatriot Linda Noskova or Ukraine’s 12th seed Marta Kostyuk.
After clinching victory, Muchova buried her face in her towel as she took a moment to absorb the enormity of her achievement.
“It was very nerve-wracking. I don’t even know what I’m saying, I’m shaking and trying to sink it in,” the 29-year-old said.
“Honestly, it was such a big fight. It was a rollercoaster – match point and then match point down. You don’t have time to think.”
Muchova is the third Czech player in three years to reach the women’s singles final at the All England Club and will be hoping to emulate Marketa Vondrousova and Barbora Krejcikova’s successes in 2023 and 2024 respectively.