Linda Noskova beat fellow Czech Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to claim her first grand slam title at Wimbledon, recovering after failing to convert several championship points.
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Key facts
- Linda Noskova beat Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the Wimbledon women's final.
- The 21-year-old Noskova was the ninth seed and won her first grand slam title.
- Noskova squandered multiple championship points before recovering to win.
- It was Muchova's second career major final, both of which she has lost.
Czech ninth seed Linda Noskova won her first grand slam title at Wimbledon, holding off an extraordinary fightback from compatriot Karolina Muchova to triumph 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, according to the BBC and the Guardian.
The 21-year-old appeared to be cruising to the title, building an easy 6-2, 5-2 lead. But her advantage crumbled as she lost five consecutive games, allowing Muchova to force a deciding set and level the match at one set apiece.
The Guardian reported that Noskova failed to convert several championship points, with the BBC describing five missed championship points and the Guardian noting as many as six match points in one account. As Centre Court erupted in support of Muchova, Noskova was seen walking solemnly to her chair with both index fingers plugged into her ears, attempting to block out the roars of the crowd.
The Guardian wrote that the 21-year-old knew what she truly needed to block out were her own fatalistic thoughts, with victory seeming much further away than the scoreline suggested as her hopes appeared to be in freefall.
Despite the pressure, Noskova recovered to take the deciding set 6-3 and seal the championship. The BBC described her performance as “one of the all-time greatest efforts on Centre Court.”
For Muchova, the defeat marked a second career major final, both of which she has lost. According to the BBC, Noskova thanked her late mother, Ivana, for inspiring her after the win, marking the moment with a kiss to the sky.
Why it matters
Noskova's victory delivers her first grand slam title at just 21, cementing her arrival among the sport's elite. The dramatic all-Czech final, defined by a near-collapse and a resilient recovery, will be remembered as one of Wimbledon's more memorable Centre Court occasions.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score of the Wimbledon women's final?
Linda Noskova beat Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
Was this Noskova's first grand slam title?
Yes. The 21-year-old ninth seed won her first grand slam title at Wimbledon.
Had Karolina Muchova reached a grand slam final before?
Yes. According to the sources, this was Muchova's second career major final, and she has lost both.
Timeline
- Noskova, an astonishing Wimbledon fightback – and a kiss to the sky
BBC Sport: Linda Noskova produces "one of the all-time greatest efforts on Centre Court" to win Wimbledon – and thanks her late mother, Ivana, for inspiring her.
- Noskova holds off extraordinary Muchova fightback to win Wimbledon
BBC Sport: Czech youngster Linda Noskova recovers from missing five championship points to beat Karolina Muchova in an extraordinary Wimbledon final.
- Linda Noskova fends off Karolina Muchova fightback to win first grand slam title at Wimbledon
The Guardian Sport: Ninth seed beats fellow Czech 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 Muchova falls short in second career major final As one of her worst nightmares on a tennis court appeared to be unfolding before her disbelieving eyes, Linda Noskova walked solemnly to her chair with both index fingers plugged into her
- Linda Noskova fends off Muchova fightback to win first grand slam title at Wimbledon
The Guardian Sport: Ninth seed beats fellow Czech 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 Muchova falls short in second major final As one of her worst nightmares on a tennis court appeared to be unfolding before her disbelieving eyes, Linda Noskova walked solemnly to her chair with both index fingers plugged into her ears.