Noskova advances to Wimbledon final, setting up all-Czech championship match

By Aditya Rao — 10 July 2026 — 4 min read

Noskova’s journey to the final

Linda Noskova secured her spot in her first major final after a strong performance against Marta Kostyuk, winning 6-4, 6-4. The victory means Noskova will face fellow Czech player Karolina Muchova in an all-Czech Wimbledon final, a first for the tournament. This final will also see a new women’s champion crowned for the ninth consecutive time.

Noskova, who arrived at Wimbledon as a promising young talent yet to achieve a Grand Slam breakthrough, completed that journey with a clinical display. Following her win, Noskova expressed her focus on the upcoming final. She maintained composure throughout the match, a key objective for her.

The match, which lasted just one hour 19 minutes, saw Noskova convert half of her six break point opportunities against Kostyuk. She also won an impressive 83 per cent of points at the net and 40 per cent of receiving points. Noskova’s assured performance ended Kostyuk’s notable run at the tournament.

Match dynamics and key moments

The early stages of the semi-final saw both players settle quickly, with little to separate them. Noskova opened confidently with a comfortable hold, and Kostyuk responded with an ace and aggressive baseline hitting to level. The rallies were clean, and serving remained consistently strong, with opportunities being scarce. At eight games in, both players had won 29 points each, highlighting the close contest.

The match shifted when Kostyuk, serving to stay in the opening set at 4-5, showed signs of pressure. Noskova seized the moment, creating three set points. Kostyuk managed to save the first but then committed a double fault, giving the first set to the Czech player. From that point, Noskova’s serve became a dominant factor, delivered with a consistent rhythm between points.

Noskova has been working on her serve for several years, recognising it as a powerful tool on grass and hard courts. She prioritises her service games, focusing on her own performance regardless of what happens in return games. This strategy proved effective throughout the match.

In the second set, Noskova secured an early break to love. She dictated play from the baseline with power, consistently forcing Kostyuk onto the defensive. Her first serve continued to earn easy points. Kostyuk attempted to rally, punctuating winning points with loud celebrations, but Noskova remained composed.

Midway through the second set, Kostyuk earned her first break point of the afternoon and converted it with a forehand winner, then held her serve to love. However, Noskova quickly regained her composure, holding her serve again. Her forehand repeatedly moved Kostyuk across the baseline, allowing Noskova to finish points efficiently. At 5-4, Kostyuk faltered under pressure once more, with two loose backhands giving Noskova two match points. Although Kostyuk saved the first with a forehand winner, another forehand drifted beyond the baseline on the second match point, sealing Noskova’s victory.

Czech tennis tradition and future final

Noskova’s win sets up an all-Czech final, a significant moment for the nation’s tennis. Noskova commented on the strong tradition of Czech female players at Wimbledon, noting that they are brought up with similar game styles but also exhibit creativity. She highlighted that grass courts allow for diverse tennis approaches, from serve and volley to slices and volleys.

Czechia has a history of producing top talent in women’s tennis, with players like Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Marketa Vondrousova, and Barbora Krejcikova having lifted the singles trophy at Wimbledon. Noskova or Muchova will add their name to this list. Noskova, at 21 years old, becomes the youngest finalist since Jelena Ostapenko in 2018.

Noskova expressed her admiration for Kvitova, whom she idolised as a child. She recalled Kvitova’s two Wimbledon titles in 2011 and 2014, stating that Kvitova’s success helped inspire her to pursue tennis. Noskova hopes to emulate Kvitova’s achievements, particularly winning a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

The final will mark the first time two women from the same nation have reached a Grand Slam final since the 2017 U.S. Open. Noskova and Muchova know each other well, having even practised together the night before their semi-final matches. Noskova plans to maintain her superstitious routines, which include numerous daily behaviours, leading up to the final on Saturday afternoon.

Source: theguardian.com