Noskova overpowers Pegula to win Berlin WTA

Czech Linda Noskova celebrates winning the Berlin Open WTA against American Jessica Pegula on Sunday. (John MACDOUGALL)Czech world number 13 Linda Noskova overcame American world number four Jessica Pegula to claim the Wimbledon warm-up WTA tournament in Berlin 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Sunday. The players took the court almost six hours late after a day of wild weather in the German capital, which forced the tournament to be evacuated for several hours and the suspension of play.

The 21-year-old claimed the opening set and maintained control in the match despite losing the second set against the 2024 champion to claim a second career title and a first at ATP 500 level. The victory continued Noskova's ascendancy, with the Czech set to climb to 10th in the WTA rankings, the first time in her career she has broken into the top 10. The result was a setback for the 32-year-old American, who has never won a Grand Slam, just a week out from Wimbledon.

Pegula eliminated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals on Saturday to reach the final in Berlin for a second time. Noskova breezed past Filipina qualifer Alexandra Eala in the semis and continued her strong form to break Pegula twice and claim the opening set.Pegula found her feet in the second, breaking her opponent once to take it 6-4, the first time Noskova had dropped a set so far this tournament.

The American looked to have a footing in the match but Noskova broke early in the deciding set to drag the match back into her favour. Noskova is set to remain in Germany in the coming week to take part in the Bad Homburg tournament, another key Wimbledon preparation event, before taking the court at SW19. dwi/bsp