Noskova cracks Wimbledon’s Czech-mate stalemate

Linda Noskova went through the wringer in a dramatic Wimbledon final before finally lifting the trophy over Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in an all-Czech showdown on the grass.

The match looked done and dusted early on, with the 21-year-old Noskova leading 6-2, 5-2 and looking ready to wrap up the first major title of her career.

But Muchova, 29, had something to say, saving five match points over the course of a five-game winning run which took more than half an hour and carried the final into a deciding set.

Noskova went into the changeover wondering what had gone wrong when she had the match nearly in hand.

The ninth seed regained her poise in the third set, taking a 4-1 lead  and finally closed out the biggest victory of her career nearly 90 minutes after earning her first match point, pounding over a service winner.

The Czech plunged to the grass on her back, disbelieving what had just occurred..

Her win marked the third Czech woman to lift the trophy from the past four Wimbledon editions after 2023 titlist Marketa Vondrousova and 2024 winner Barbora Krejcikova.

While tears were to be expected from the runner-up, the same applied to the winner as Noskova recalled her late mother during the trophy ceremony.

“This was incredible”, the winner said, “These matches are so physically and mentally tough. It’s not easy to win the last point.

“She really made me work for it. I’m glad I could play my first Grand Slam final with you,” she told her defeated opponent..

“I think we made history today.”

The last Wimbledon countrywoman final came in 2009, when Serena Williams beat her sister Venus.

“I don’t cry normally, this is not OK for me,” Noskova said, adding: “”There’s also one more person I would like to thank, which is my Mum. I would definitely would not be standing here without her so thank you. 

“I have been enjoying these two weeks so much, all the sad tears, the happy tears, the sweat and blood going into this.
“It was all worth it, so I will definitely never forget these two weeks.”

Muchova was equally emotional after fighting hard in the second set. After jokingly referring to Noskova as “my ex-friend,’ she vowed to work even harder in her care.

“It’s really tough to find any words.  You’re so young, the way you handled your first Grand Slam final and how you played was unbelievable”

She called her winning opponent “a very kind person and human being – congrats to you and your team

“I’m glad to be standing here even though I’m pretty disappointed,” Muchova confessed.

“I want this trophy and hope to get to the final again.”

Noskova is the youngest Wimbledon champion since her fellow Czech Petra Kvitova in 2011, who won that year’s title aged 21 years, 116 days old.

Main photo:-Linda Noskova with Venus Rosewater Plate after winning Ladies Singles Final- by Roger Parker / ISF Ltd