Noskova Edges Closer to History After Beating Kostyuk at Wimbledon

Czech dominance continues as Noskova reaches first Grand Slam final

For the third time in four years a Czech will win Wimbledon. Noskova will face Muchova in Saturday’s final after her win over Kostyuk.

Grass-Court Queen Noskova on brink of Wimbledon breakthrough..

Noskova overcomes Marta Kostyuk to arrange all-Czech Wimbledon final with Muchova.

Linda Noskova advanced to a maiden Wimbledon final with a straight-sets victory over Marta Kostyuk, 6-4, 6-4, on Thursday. The result guarantees a Czech champion as she will face Karolina Muchova for the title.

Noskova required only 79 minutes to overcome the Ukrainian 12th seed, wrapping up the semi-final in stifling 33C conditions on Centre Court.

The ninth seed will contest her maiden Grand Slam final against 10th-seeded compatriot Karolina Muchova, who defeated Coco Gauff in a gripping three-set semi-final earlier on Thursday.

Wimbledon marks a breakthrough for Noskova, who had previously never progressed past the quarter-finals at a major. The 21-year-old now stands one victory away from a first Grand Slam crown.

“I just tried to keep cool, be as patient as possible and somehow get the last point,” Noskova said.

“When I play my best I know I can play with the best players in the world and a have a great result, which is a final in a Grand Slam I guess!”

A Czech will be crowned Wimbledon champion for the third time in four years, after Krejcikova’s triumph in 2024 and Vondrousova’s in 2023.

The nation’s connection with the All England Club runs deep. Noskova points to childhood idol Petra Kvitova, a Wimbledon winner in 2011 and 2014, as her inspiration.

The legacy stretches back further - to Jana Novotna, who famously secured the title in 1998 having lost the final on two previous occasions.

Noskova is also the eighth Czech woman this century to reach the Wimbledon women’s singles semi-finals.

“Karolina is such a great fighter, such an incredible player, but mainly she is such a great person. I'm glad I can play my first final against her,” Noskova said ahead of the all-Czech showdown.

Two players from the same country will contest the Wimbledon women’s final for the first time in 17 years. The last occasion came in 2009, when Serena Williams beat Venus Williams.

Grinding Battle

There was almost nothing between Noskova and Kostyuk in a first set that became a test of patience more than power.

The turning point came on Kostyuk’s racket. A double fault on set point gifted Noskova the opening set.

Noskova pounced in the second. She broke for a 3-1 lead and looked to be running away with it.

With the final in sight, she let Kostyuk back in with a break, briefly opening the door.

Noskova didn’t blink. She stayed steady and sealed a nerveless win when Kostyuk’s forehand sailed long on match point.

Linda Noskova sealing a spot in the Wimbledon final 👏 pic.twitter.com/A0XfluqEsO

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2026

June brought another near-miss in Paris, where she lost in the French Open semi-finals to Mirra Andreeva and again fell short of a first major final.

Noskova may not have global stardom yet, but her grass-court record speaks volumes. She has more wins on grass than any other WTA player across the past two seasons.

That form carried over from Berlin, where she claimed her first grass-court title. She has taken it straight to Wimbledon, and now finds herself on the cusp of a career-defining moment on Saturday.