Noskova produces solar eclipse to claim maiden title
TEENAGE star Linda Noskova is officially a WTA Tour titleholder after holding off New Zealander Lulu Sun in the WTA 500 Monterrey final on the weekend. The 19-year-old sixth seed was in her third Tour final, but finally took home the chocolates against the much improved Sun to win 7-6 6-4 in an hour and 49 minutes in Mexico.
“I’ve been waiting for a title or for a trophy for some time now, so it just feels amazing to win such a big tournament here this week,” Noskova said post-match.
Noskova was on the ropes during the first set tiebreaker, going down 4-6 and facing two set points. Luckily for the Czech, she was able to save them as she won four consecutive points to win the tiebreaker 8-6 and go up a set.
Though never having it easy against the ultra-impressive Sun, the Czech young gun kept the foot down and was able to secure a crucial break in the second set to keep a gap on her opponent and close out the match 6-4 in the second.
“We played some great tennis,” Noskova said. “Her forehand was really killing, so I tried to stay off of it as much as possible. But it was tough at times, especially when I was 4-6 [down] in the tiebreak. I’m glad I managed to change that into my positive.”
Noskova weathered 13 aces off Sun’s racquet to produce four of her own, all while winning an outstanding 79 per cent of her first serve points, and 58 per cent of her second serve points. The latter was the key difference between the pair, with Sun only winning 41 per cent of hers. Noskova only broke twice through the match, but saved six of seven break points along the way, eventually being more successful on both service (70 to 63 per cent) and return (37 to 30 per cent).
The Czech made the final after a fantastic win over 13th ranked second seed Emma Navarro in the semi-final, and fifth seed Elina Svitolina in the quarter finals, not dropping a set the entire tournament. In winning the WTA 500 event, Noskova rose 10 more spots to a career-high 25th in the world ahead of the US Open. Sun also rose 16 spots herself up to a new career-high of 41.
Italy do double; Dutch fall short
ITALY is officially the back-to-back champion of the Davis Cup after successfully defending its title in Malaga overnight. The combination of Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner proved too good for brave Dutch pair Botic Van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor, winning in straight sets against their respective opponents to salute. Since being added alongside SInner […]
Australia goes Down Under Italy’s Davis Cup power
FOR A second successive year, Italy found what it took to upstage Australia in the Davis Cup, defeating the green and gold to move one win away from defending its 2023 title. While spearheaded by Jannik Sinner who steered the Italians to victory 12 months ago, former Top 5 star Matteo Berrettini showed the glimpses […]
Dutch dare to dream in Davis Cup
NETHERLANDS is through to its first ever Davis Cup final after defeating Germany 2-0 in a couple of tight three-set singles matches to reach the decider. The Dutch pair of Tallon Griekspoor and Botic Van de Zandschulp fought past German duo Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier to set up a grand finale against one of […]
Sinner steps up to steer Italy into Davis Cup semis
ITALY is two wins away from going back-to-back at the Davis Cup after coming from behind against a plucky Argentinian outfit. Following a surprise win by Francisco Cerundolo over Lorenzo Musetti, world number one Jannik Sinner had to step up, and step up he did. Sinner won his singles in convincing fashion before teaming up […]
Aussies upstage US after doubles shock move
AUSTRALIA is through to the 2024 Davis Cup semi-finals for a chance at redemption against Italy after taking down a star-studded United States lineup. The green and gold had the Malaga stadium pumping when Thanasi Kokkinakis stunned Top 25 talent Ben Shelton, and then the experienced doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson used […]
Germany charges into 2024 Davis Cup semis
GERMANY is on a mission to break a 31-year drought at the Davis Cup, and ticked off the first challenge with a victory over 2022 winners Canada overnight. The Germans last won a Davis Cup way back in 1993 during a golden era for the nation, winning three titles in a six-year span between 1988-1993. […]
Italy goes one better to win 2024 BJK Cup
AFTER suffering a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Canada 12 months ago, Italy has transformed from bridesmaid to the bride with a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup overnight. Winning both the singles matches meaning there was no requirement to play the doubles, Italy showed it was the team […]
Slovakia makes history by reaching BJK Cup final
A TRUE underdog tale is emerging in Malaga with world number 10s Slovakia – expected to essentially make up the numbers coming into the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Finals – reaching the decider for just the second time in the nation’s history. The small European country – least population of any nation at the […]
Dutch dash dream Rafa retirement party
THERE was no room for sentiment from the Dutch at the Davis Cup Finals, with Netherlands sending off 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal by eliminating his Spanish side in the quarter finals. Going down to the deciding doubles tie, the experienced doubles talent of Wesley Koolhof worked well with Botic Van de Zandschulp against […]
