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Czech Linda Noskova, ranked ninth in the tournament bracket, advanced to her first career Wimbledon semifinal following a straight-sets victory over Belgium's Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
Noskova dominated from start to finish in a last-eight clash lasting one hour and 50 minutes in searing temperatures on Court One.
The 21-year-old faces Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk in Thursday's semifinals.
In only her second Grand Slam quarterfinal, referring to the four major tennis championships, following her run at the 2024 Australian Open, Noskova sealed a place in the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time.
In the lead-up to Wimbledon, Noskova won the Berlin Open, her first grass-court title.
She has taken that impressive form into the All England Club, dispatching former Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the last 16 before brushing aside Mertens.
Having reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, Noskova is now just one win away from her maiden Grand Slam final.
"The feelings are incredible, like never before. This is what I am playing tennis for, these big stages and big matches," she said.
"I was a little bit nervous before the match, I am not going to lie. When I am putting pressure on myself, that is usually when I play my best. I really enjoyed this match."
Mertens, 30, had been hoping to make the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time, but the 25th seed bowed out after a strong run featuring a win over second seed Elena Rybakina.
Just 21, Linda Noskova sits atop the latest wave of talented young Czech players to appear on the WTA Tour. She made her Top 20 debut in 2025 after reaching her first WTA 1000 final, where she pushed Amanda Anisimova before falling in three sets.
She has since achieved a career-high ranking of No. 12 and finished last season with the second-most aces on tour, trailing only Elena Rybakina. Off court, her playlist ranges from Maneskin to Lil Nas X to Lizzo.
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