Noskova reaches Wimbledon final after defeating Kostyuk
10.07.2026
Noskova’s path to the final
Linda Noskova secured her place in the Wimbledon final by defeating Marta Kostyuk with a score of 6-4, 6-4. This victory marks Noskova’s first major final appearance. She maintained composure throughout the match, a key objective for her, and expressed her focus on the upcoming final.
Noskova’s performance was described as clinical, with her serve being a significant factor. She faced only one break point during the match, which occurred at 3-1 in the second set. Noskova capitalized on Kostyuk’s service vulnerabilities, breaking her opponent three times, including when Kostyuk was serving to stay in both sets.
The match, which lasted just one hour 19 minutes, saw Noskova win an impressive 83 percent of points at the net and 40 percent of receiving points. She converted half of the six break points she created. This assured display led to an all-Czech final, a first for Wimbledon, where a new women’s champion will be crowned for the ninth consecutive time.
Noskova arrived at Wimbledon with momentum, having won the Berlin Open title. Her recent form on grass courts has been notable, as she has won more grass-court matches than any other woman on tour since the start of the last season. She is currently No. 12 in the PIF WTA Rankings and has won 10 of her last 11 WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz matches.
Key moments and player reactions
The early stages of the match were closely contested, with both players settling quickly into their serves. Opportunities for breaks were scarce, and after eight games, both players had won 29 points each. The turning point came when Kostyuk, serving at 4-5 in the opening set, faltered under pressure. Noskova seized the opportunity, forcing three set points and ultimately winning the set after Kostyuk committed a double fault.
Noskova’s serve became increasingly effective after the first set, delivered with a consistent rhythm. She highlighted her work on her serve over the past couple of years, noting its importance on grass and hard courts. Kostyuk acknowledged Noskova’s serving quality, stating it was exceptional and left her with limited options for returning.
Despite Kostyuk’s attempts to rally and engage the crowd, Noskova remained steady, securing an early break to love in the second set. Noskova dictated play from the baseline, forcing Kostyuk into defensive positions. Kostyuk managed to earn and convert her first break point midway through the second set with a forehand winner, but Noskova quickly regained control, holding serve and closing out the match at 5-4 when Kostyuk made unforced errors.
An all-Czech final
Noskova will now face fellow Czech player Karolina Muchova in the final. Muchova defeated Coco Gauff in an exhilarating match that included a super tiebreak. This marks the first time two women representing the same nation have reached a Grand Slam final since the 2017 U.S. Open.
At 21 years old, Noskova is the youngest finalist since Jelena Ostapenko in 2018. She expressed her anticipation for the final against Muchova, describing her as a great fighter and person. Noskova also mentioned her superstitions, which include numerous daily routines, and stated her intention to maintain them for the final.
Noskova reflected on her journey, noting that she did not watch much tennis as a child but remembered Petra Kvitova’s Wimbledon victory, which sparked her interest in the sport. She looks up to Kvitova and hopes to emulate her success. Kostyuk, despite the loss, concluded her Wimbledon campaign with applause, acknowledging her strong performance throughout the tournament.
The women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
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Source: theguardian.com
Ishaan Kapoor
Sports correspondent covering cricket, football and international competitions.