Before their respective semifinals, Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova had never played a match on Centre Court.
Result
This time for the most important fixture of their careers, and as foes and not friends. “We are very creative, I would say. And grass allows us to use any side [multiple facets] of tennis – if it was serve and volley back in the day, and if it’s slices and volleys in this new era. “This is one of the biggest tournaments and so many legends have played here. [I am] Incredibly glad and happy that I have a chance to play another final.
Less than 48 hours since that victorious Thursday, they will return to the prestigious lawns once more. It will be the first women’s singles final at Majors between compatriots since the 2017 US Open featuring Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens. Four players representing Czechia have won women’s Grand Slam singles titles and all four have triumphed at the All England Club – Jana Novotna (1998), Petra Kvitova (2011 and 2014), Marketa Vondrousova (2023) and Barbora Krejcikova (2024). Muchova has hit 39 aces to Noskova’s 33, and won 77% of her first-serve points and 59% on the seconds to her opponent’s 73% and 54%. The only points of difference may be in that Muchova has past experience of playing a Major final – lost to Iga Swiatek at Roland-Garros 2023 – and in the strength of opponents vanquished at SW19. On Thursday, Karolina Muchova painted her best portrait yet by beating seventh seed Coco Gauff 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 [12-10] and entering her maiden singles final at the All England Club. On Saturday, Muchova will take on compatriot Linda Noskova, who overcame Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-4. It will be a first women’s singles final at SW19 between compatriots since Serena Williams met sister Venus in 2009.
“It’s a very special moment,” Muchova said about being in the title-decider.
