Linda Noskova has done it.
Noskova had to dig deep against her fellow countrywoman in a Wimbledon final that went the distance, but in the end, she would not be denied, prevailing 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
Here’s how she did it.
A first serve that was there when she needed it
Noskova spun in 75% of her first serves in that third set, after nailing just 57% of her first serves in the second set. When the serve—and her nerve—faltered in that second set, it opened the door for Muchova to fight her way back into the match.
But that was not the case in the third set. She was able to get those fast-paced first serves in more frequently, allowing her to take the fight to Muchova once again.
A clinic in ball-striking
Noskova put on an absolute ball-striking clinic in that first set, handling Muchova’s variety from the baseline with ease and crushing returns of serve. She could have taught a class on how to return a slice. Her blistering forehands had radar guns working overtime and were terrors to behold.
After her level dropped just a bit in the second set, Noskova found her game once again in the third set, overpowering Muchova. Noskova was also particularly impressive in adding variety of her own to keep her countrywoman off balance, as she sprinkled in several slices—one cross court for a stunning winner—and even a couple of masterful drop shots.
Noskova was more often the aggressor on Saturday and it resulted in the first major title of her career.
Holding strong mentally when the moment demanded it
Give Muchova credit. At 3-5 in the second set, it sure seemed like a Noskova victory was a foregone conclusion. But she dug deep and showed incredible fight to stave off multiple championship points, playing at a level that she hadn’t reached in the first set.
And, whether she was overcome by the moment or caught off guard by Muchova’s play, Noskova seemed to lose her nerve just a bit in the second set. But to Noskova’s credit, she had a short memory and quickly went up a break in the third set, a lead that she would not relinquish.
It is nothing short of remarkable how Noskova, at just 21 years old, was able to recover from a moment that may have overcome players far more experienced than her. That, and her powerful baseline game, powered her to victory in the end.
