By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, October 4, 2025
Photo credit: Hermann Chu/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty
Match point stress invoked no fear factor in Linda Noskova.
A fearless Noskova fought off three match points in the 12th game of the decider edging Jessica Pegula 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(6) in today’s semifinal thriller to battle into her biggest final in Beijing.
Noskova held her nerve and refused to relent when Pegula served for the final at 6-5. Noskova saved match points with Pegula holding leads of 40-15, 40-30 and Ad-In, eventually converting her second break point to level the final set and force a climactic tiebreaker.
In the breaker, Pegula opened up a 3-1 lead only to see the 26th-seeded Noskova win three points in a row to go up 4-3.
The fifth-seeded Pegula saved a match point at 5-6. Noskova converted her second match point then tossed her Yonex racquet aside in joy completing a captivating two hour and 28 minute pulsating triumph.
Noskova, who is third on the WTA Tour for most aces behind Clara Tauson and Elena Rybakina, cracked 11 aces against 7 double faults and saved 10 of 15 break points in this semifinal.
The 20-year-old Noskova is the youngest Czech to reach a WTA 1000 final and spoiled the prospect of an all-American China Open championship match.
World No. 27 Noskova improved to 33-21 on the season, it’s the most wins she’s ever produced in a single season. Noskova will play for her first title of the season against US Open and Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova.
Earlier, the fourth-seeded Anisimova crushed Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 dismissing the defending champion in a 58-minute rout.
Anisimova served 67 percent and won 26 of 31 first-serve points powering into her fifth final of the season.
Doha champion Anisimova and Noskova have split two prior meetings with the American prevailing in a hard-fought 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win in the Wimbledon round of 16 in July.
