Noskova Sends Pegula Packing to Book Place in China Open Final

Czech tennis rising star Linda Noskova stunned Jessica Pegula to reach the China Open final in dramatic fashion. Facing elimination, Noskova saved three match points to complete a remarkable turnaround, winning 6-3 1-6 7-6 (8-6).

The victory marks the 19-year-old’s first appearance in a WTA 1000 final. In doing so, she broke a record held by Petra Kvitova for three decades, becoming the youngest Czech player to reach a WTA 1000 final.

Nokova broke down into tears after the match, she described it as one of the toughest matches of her career, mentally and physically.

“I was two points away from losing. Jessie played incredibly. I think this was our best match yet. I’m just happy to get the win. I don’t even know about the final. I’m just so glad that I won today. It was quite a tough match mentally and physically and everything else, so I’m just going to cherish this win, at least for today.

These two weeks have actually been just the most incredible memories I have had here. I mean, the fans and all the support from here and from all around the world. It’s just insane. It’s such a great court and such a big audience all the time. So I’m just enjoying every time.”

If Noskova defeats Amanda Anisimova in Sunday’s final, she will become only the third player after Svetlana Kuznetsova and Garbine Muguruza to win the China Open on her first appearance.