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.
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