Linda Noskova is through to her first WTA 1000 final at the China Open after defeating world number seven Jessica Pegula.
Noskova saved three match points in the third set and clinched the decisive tiebreak to set up a championship clash with Amanda Anisimova.
The Czech star’s triumph marks her second top-ten win of the tournament, having advanced past seventh seed Qinwen Zheng in the third round.
She now leads 2-1 in the head-to-head with Pegula, whom Noskova had high praise for after claiming the victory in Beijing.
Linda Noskova reacts to beating Jessica Pegula in Beijing
In her on-court interview, the 20-year-old said: “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.”
Linda Noskova breaks one of Petra Kvitova’s WTA records in Beijing
With her win, Noskova is now the youngest Czech player to reach the final of a WTA 1000 or Tier 1 event since the introduction of the format in 1990.
At the age of 20 years and 311 days, she surpassed two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who managed the feat at 21 years and 55 days.
She played her final opponent, Anisimova, at Wimbledon in the summer, and lost in three sets, two years after their maiden tour-level meeting at the 2023 Indian Wells Open, where she emerged victorious.
The two will now clash on hard court for just the second time in their careers, with a WTA 1000 crown up for grabs.
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