Late-night buzzer-beater reminds Gauff of Kawhi Leonard's historic shot

There's not usually a clock ticking down in tennis.

Yet, for Coco Gauff at Wimbledon on Sunday, the All England Club's 11 pm curfew made it seem like there was.

And Gauff hit the winning shot at the buzzer.

Two minutes before 11, Gauff converted her first match point with a service winner out wide to reach the quarterfinals at the grass-court Grand Slam for the first time.

After beating Belinda Bencic 4-6,6-3, 6-4, Gauff tapped her left wrist with the fingers on her right hand to acknowledge the timely ending.

Gauff said it "kind of reminded me of" Kawhi Leonard's shot for the Toronto Raptors in 2019 that bounced off the rim four times, before becoming the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history.

Because if Gauff hadn't ended it in that game, the match would have been suspended until Monday.

"I was looking at the clock on the last service game," she said. "I was like: 'I've got to hit some big serves and some big shots.' And, honestly, that match point, I was going for a serve and volley, because I was like: 'I need to end the point.'

"That was probably the most dramatic finish. I've never had to race against time. Playing tennis we're used to not having a clock. But, honestly, today I felt the pressure. Glad I didn't choose basketball."

Gauff did play basketball as a kid, but, she admitted: "I did not hit any buzzer-beaters."

Gauff had reached the fourth round at Wimbledon four times — including during her breakthrough run as a 15-year-old in 2019. Now, for the first time, she's gone one step further.

"I'm definitely hungry for more," Gauff said. "But it's a great accomplishment."

Gauff's quarterfinal opponent will be fellow American and occasional doubles partner Jessica Pegula, who beat compatriot Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

"It will be the third flat hitter I've played in a row," Gauff said. "The last two matches I've had definitely gave me prep for her."

AP