Linda Noskova produced a clinical display to defeat Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-4 and reach the first major final of her career at Wimbledon on Thursday. The 21-year-old Czech, who had arrived as one of the most dangerous young talents yet to make a grand slam breakthrough, completed that journey with a mature performance that ended Kostyuk's outstanding run.
Noskova will face compatriot Karolina Muchova in the first all-Czech Wimbledon final, where a first-time women's champion will be crowned for the ninth consecutive time.
Noskova's composed performance
Noskova spent almost the entire afternoon untouchable on serve, facing just one break point at 3-1 in the second set. She capitalised on Kostyuk's vulnerabilities, breaking three times, including when the Ukrainian served to stay alive in both sets. 'I don't know how I feel,' said Noskova. 'It was a great match. I stayed calm the whole time, which was the main goal. But I always realise any success or a good tournament after it's done. Right now, I am focusing on the final.'
Kostyuk arrived in inspired form after reaching the French Open semi-finals and had won 21 of her previous 22 matches, while Noskova claimed the Berlin Open title before transferring that momentum on to Wimbledon's lawns.
Key turning points
There was little to separate the pair early on, with both settling quickly behind serve. Eight games in, the two had won 29 points each. The match turned when, serving to stay in the opening set at 4-5, Kostyuk suddenly tightened. Noskova forced three set points, and a costly double fault handed the Czech the opener.
From there, Noskova's serve became untouchable. 'I have been working on my serve for a couple of years now,' she said. 'It has been a great help for me lately. On grass or hard courts, your serve is the most powerful tool. I try to focus on myself when I have my service game. Whatever happens on the return games, happens.'
Second set dominance
Noskova broke early to love in the second set, dictating from the baseline with effortless power. Kostyuk finally earned her first break point of the afternoon midway through the set and seized it with a fierce forehand winner, but Noskova steadied herself with another assured hold. At 5-4, Kostyuk faltered again, and two loose backhands handed Noskova two match points. Although the Ukrainian saved the first with a stunning forehand winner, on the second another forehand drifted beyond the baseline.
'Her serve quality was 9.5,' said Kostyuk. 'Doesn't get better than this. I know I'm a good returner. Not much I could do today. I broke her once, but generally I didn't even come close to break points.'
Czech tradition at Wimbledon
Noskova reflected on the love affair between Czech female players and Wimbledon. 'It's a tradition at this point,' she said. 'We are all brought up in the same way in Czechia, in our game styles, in our tennis, but we are very different. We are very creative. Grass allows us to use any side of tennis: if it's serve and volley back in the old days, if it's slices and volleys in this new era.'
