There has been considerable discussion regarding the unpredictability of the women’s tournament, especially after the early exits of defending champion Iga Swiatek, along with the top two seeds, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Amidst this backdrop, the emergence of in-form players has been noteworthy, with Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova both advancing to the semi-finals.
Kostyuk, the 12th seed from Ukraine, who previously reached the semi-finals at the French Open last month, delivered a commanding performance against Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 runner-up, winning decisively with a score of 6-3, 6-2 on Centre Court. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Noskova, seeded ninth, secured her place by defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5, marking her impressive record of 10 victories out of 11 matches on grass this season.
In her match, Kostyuk showcased her remarkable skills, hitting 19 winners, several of which were powerful forehand returns, with one reaching a speed of 96 mph. Her serving was exceptional, conceding only three points during her serve in the first set and facing no break points, while managing to break her opponent twice in each set.
Kostyuk’s athleticism, a result of her gymnastics background, was evident as she retrieved many balls that would have been winners against most players, successfully transitioning from defense to offense. She currently leads the WTA tour in wins for the year 2026 and, despite not participating in any grass-court warm-up events, handled her debut on Centre Court with confidence.
“Hello Centre Court, this is my first time playing on this amazing court,” Kostyuk remarked after the match. “Winning here wasn’t even in my plans; I just wanted to come out and entertain.” Her coach, Sandra Zaniewska, encouraged her to visit the venue beforehand to visualize the experience, a suggestion that proved beneficial.
“I’m grateful my coach had me walk here yesterday,” Kostyuk expressed. “I was in awe of the entrance and needed a day just to process it.” She reminisced about attending a match on this court nine years ago to watch Roger Federer, calling it a special moment. “I took a moment on the Centre Court today to appreciate it,” she added.
Like Kostyuk, Noskova was also making her debut in the quarter-finals of this tournament, continuing her stellar performance on grass. Over the past two years, she has achieved the highest number of grass-court victories (18), and her powerful serve and groundstrokes proved overwhelming for Mertens.
Mertens, a six-time Grand Slam winner in doubles, was broken once in each set, allowing Noskova to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. With Karolina Muchova slated to face Coco Gauff in the other semi-final on Thursday, there is a promising chance for an all-Czech final, potentially leading to a sixth Czech victory in women’s singles, joining legends like Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Marketa Vondrousova, and Barbora Krejcikova.
“The emotions are unbelievable, like nothing I’ve felt before,” Noskova stated. “This is what I strive for—big matches, grand stages, and prestigious courts. It’s a unique feeling.” She admitted to feeling some nerves before her match, noting that such feelings often indicate her passion for the game. “I truly enjoyed this match,” she remarked.
Currently ranked 10th and 11th in the live standings, Kostyuk and Noskova have met once previously, with Kostyuk winning that encounter in Madrid last May. However, Noskova’s recent title victory in Berlin, where she triumphed over Alexandra Eala and Jessica Pegula in the final, should boost her confidence going into their next match.
As temperatures are anticipated to reach 33°C on Thursday, the heat may play a role in their performance. “I’m sure everyone in London is enjoying the weather, but it’s a different story for us on the court,” Kostyuk commented. “Nevertheless, I’m just thrilled to be back out here.”
