Berlin Final: Noskova Tops Pegula in 3-Set Thriller, Cracks Top 10

Linda Noskova upsets Jessica Pegula for first WTA 500 crown in Berlin

Noskova overcame Pegula in a match delayed 6 hours by storms. The 21-year-old beat the 2024 champ for her first WTA 500 title ahead of Wimbledon...

Noskova powers past Pegula to claim Berlin trophy ahead of Wimbledon. Noskova beats Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to win Berlin WTA title...

Czech No.13 Linda Noskova upset American No.4 Jessica Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Berlin WTA title. The victory in the Wimbledon warm-up gave her the second trophy of her career.

The final started almost six hours behind schedule after severe weather hit Berlin. The storm forced an evacuation and shut down the tournament for several hours before play could resume.

The 21-year-old took the first set and stayed composed even after dropping the second to 2024 champion Pegula. That win secured her second WTA title overall and her first at the WTA 500 level.

With the Berlin title, Noskova will break into the WTA top 10 for the first time when rankings update next week.

“(This is) very incredible and unforgettable for me,” Noskova said.

“It's my second title, so like I said, you never forget the first ones, but you always never forget the second ones as well.”

It was a blow for 32-year-old Pegula, who’s still chasing her first Grand Slam. The loss comes just one week before Wimbledon begins.

 

Pegula knocked out world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s semis to make the Berlin final for the second time.

 

Noskova reached the final after a dominant win over Filipina qualifier Alexandra Eala. She carried that momentum against Pegula, breaking her twice to take the first set.

Pegula steadied herself in the second set and broke Noskova once to level the match 6-4. That was the first set Noskova had lost all week in Berlin.

The American seemed to have momentum, but Noskova hit back with an early break in the decider to swing the match her way again.

Noskova will stay in Germany next week for Bad Homburg, another Wimbledon tune-up event, before heading to England for the Championships.