Key Takeaways
- Linda Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk 7-5 5-7 6-4 in the fourth round of the US Open after recovering from a tough second-set setback.
- Noskova described leaving the court to reset mentally, stating, “once the match is finally over after many match points, it’s like a huge rock and kind of just, you know, falls off your um your heart.”
- Looking forward to facing Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals, Noskova praised her next opponent’s consistency and variety from the baseline and net.
Regrouping after a challenging second set
Linda Noskova secured her spot in the US Open quarter-finals following an intense fourth-round victory over Marta Kostyuk, coming through 7-5 5-7 6-4 in New York. Despite facing missed opportunities to close out the contest earlier, the Czech player managed to keep her composure in the deciding set.
Reflecting on the grueling battle, Noskova acknowledged the high level and determination from both sides of the net. “Um very tough match. Um we definitely didn’t hold back. Uh neither of us, so you know, a lot of opportunities that I had, especially in the second set, couldn’t really close it out, but uh yeah, I had to wait for it and just keep going,” she explained.
Noskova took a brief break off the court following the dropped second set to gather herself amidst a noisy stadium atmosphere. “Um no, I just had to leave the court. There was a lot of noise. Um But obviously, uh I had to restart. I had to refocus. Uh kind of put it behind me, which was not easy at all,” Noskova said. She also noted that Kostyuk came out firing, adding, “especially since Marta started as well, um you know, very well in the third. Um but it’s always the most important thing to kind of uh get yourself back mentally after such opportunities either in Wembley or here.”
Starting fresh after major breakthroughs
When asked about her off-court reset routine during the pause, Noskova revealed that dwelling on previous difficulties was the last thing on her mind. “Um I didn’t want to remind myself that something like that has already happened, and that would be even worse feeling for me,” she noted. “Um but for me, it’s it was just you know, uh splash some water on my face, just uh kind of talk myself into thinking all over again and and and trying to you know start.”
Having experienced tough early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati earlier in the summer, Noskova emphasized that entering Flushing Meadows required leaving previous results behind. “I like to focus on the losses, you know, why not? But I can always take some some positives or some you know wisdom from the losses and the wins,” she stated. “But I feel like once the new Grand Slam started um I kind of started all over as well like the previous one never happened. I know it sounds weird or like maybe a little bit bad or ungrateful but yeah it’s it’s it’s the truth.”
Looking ahead to Aryna Sabalenka and a special visitor
In the quarter-finals, Noskova faces a formidable test against Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time reigning US Open champion. The Czech is well aware of the challenge that awaits her against the tournament favorite. “Well, she’s very consistent in whatever she does. If it’s either the serve for she’s going into every return that she can or uh you know, just playing so so solid from the baseline and not being afraid to go on net on the net as well and using some drop shots or uh slices uh you know, to mix up the rhythm,” she remarked. “So, she’s definitely um one of the best players in the world for these reasons.”
Noskova also touched on the sheer relief of finishing such an emotionally charged match. “These matches these tough matches with such a score um it doesn’t really matter when I play this or when I win such match um the nerves are there um and once the match is finally over after many match points, it’s like a huge rock and kind of just, you know, falls off your um your heart,” she shared.
The match was made even more memorable by the presence of WWE superstar Charlotte Flair in the stands. Noskova, a childhood fan of professional wrestling, expressed her delight at meeting the athlete after the match. “She was definitely one of the one of the competitors that I used to watch um back then, so it was a big moment that she came. Uh I was very lucky. She is you know, very very kind person,” Noskova remarked. “She watched the whole match Then she we chatted after the after I finished. So it was cool.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YLonlbPgVE
WTA U.S. Open - Linda Noskova's projected path
Noskova at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2026
At the moment ranked no.6 (career-high), Noskova has managed to achieve a composed 35-13 win-loss record in 2026. The Czech is playing at the moment at the U.S. Open where she beat the world no.78 Katie Volynets 7-5 6-1, the world no.76 Lanlana Tararudee 6-4 6-2, the world no.28 Ann Li 6-2 6-7(6) 6-2 and the world no.11 Marta Kostyuk 7-5 5-7 6-4.
Linda Noskova will take on the world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter. Their actual head to head record is 2-0 for Sabalenka.
The Czech conquered 2 titles in 2026 in Berlin and Wimbledon.
