Linda Noskova from Czechia secured her spot in the Wimbledon 2026 semifinals by defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5 on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Czech, seeded ninth, displayed remarkable composure, breaking her opponent once in each set. Noskova, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, is the youngest semifinalist at the All-England Club since 2018.
In the upcoming semifinal, Noskova will face Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine, setting the stage for a potential first-time Grand Slam finalist. Kostyuk, the 12th seed, continued her impressive streak by overpowering Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-3, 6-2 on Centre Court. This victory marks Kostyuk’s maiden Wimbledon semifinal and her second consecutive Grand Slam semifinal appearance.
With a dominant performance lasting just over an hour, Kostyuk showcased her aggressive playstyle, hitting 19 winners and maintaining relentless pressure on Paolini. Her victory against last year’s runner-up adds to her exceptional record of 21 wins in her last 22 WTA Tour matches. Kostyuk’s consistent form was evident from her semifinal finish at the 2026 French Open, highlighting her prowess in major tournaments.
Utilizing a powerful baseline game and precise returns, Kostyuk controlled the match from the outset, capitalizing on Paolini’s errors. The Ukrainian’s strategic play, including a crucial forehand return winner in the fifth game, sealed her victory and prevented any comeback from the Italian. Kostyuk’s confident display earned her a swift 6-3, 6-2 triumph, securing her place in the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time.
