The women’s draw at Wimbledon has been widely recognized for its unpredictability, particularly after the early exits of defending champion Iga Swiatek and the top two players, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Amid this landscape, the rise of in-form competitors like Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova has proven significant as both players secured spots in the semi-finals.
Kostyuk, the 12th seed from Ukraine who recently reached the French Open semi-finals, dominated 2024 runner-up Jasmine Paolini with a decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory on Centre Court. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Noskova, ranked ninth, triumphed over Elise Mertens from Belgium, winning 6-3, 7-5, marking her 10th victory in 11 grass matches this season.
Exhibiting her formidable skills, Kostyuk delivered a stunning performance against Paolini, striking 19 winners, including a remarkable forehand return that reached 96 mph. Her serve was exceptionally strong, allowing her to lose just three points while serving in the first set and never facing a break point, while she managed to break her opponent twice in each set.
Kostyuk’s athletic prowess, honed from her early gymnastics training, was evident as she chased down shots that would have left most players scrambling, effortlessly transitioning from defense to offense.
With the highest number of wins in 2026 so far, Kostyuk appeared unfazed despite her lack of a warm-up tournament on grass, showcasing her ability on the prestigious Centre Court.
“First of all, hello Centre Court, first time playing on this incredible court,” she said. “Winning here was not even in plans, I just wanted to come out here and put on a show.”
Her coach, Sandra Zaniewska, recommended exploring the venue beforehand, a suggestion that proved invaluable.
“Thank God my coach made me walk here yesterday,” Kostyuk remarked. “I was flabbergasted by this entrance. I needed one day to recover from what I saw. “I was on this court as a spectator once nine years ago watching Roger [Federer]. It was so special. I made like a walk of honour on the Centre Court [on Tuesday], took a moment and soaked it all in.”
She added, “The feelings are incredible, like never before,”
Noskova, also making her quarter-final debut, continued to demonstrate her exceptional form on grass. With a record of 18 victories on grass over the past two years, her powerful serve and ground strokes overwhelmed Mertens.
The Belgian, a six-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, was broken once in each set as Noskova reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. The upcoming match between Karolina Muchova and Coco Gauff sets the stage for the possibility of an all-Czech final, which would mark the sixth Czech victory in women’s singles at Wimbledon, following legends like Martina Navratilova and Petra Kvitova.
“This is what I’m playing for, these big matches, big stages, big courts. It’s a special feeling. “I was a little bit nervous before the match. Usually, when I am feeling a little nervous it means I care a lot. I was really enjoying this match.” Noskova expressed. “I’m sure people are happy with the weather in London, but not us on court,”
She further shared, “But I’m just happy to be back out here.”
Kostyuk and Noskova, currently ranked 10th and 11th live, have faced each other previously, with Kostyuk winning their encounter in Madrid last May. However, that match took place on clay, and Noskova’s title run in Berlin, where she defeated Alexandra Eala and Jessica Pegula in the final, has surely boosted her confidence.
As temperatures are expected to reach 33C on Thursday, the heat may play a role in the match. “I’m sure people are happy with the weather in London, but not us on court,” Kostyuk commented. “But I’m just happy to be back out here.”
