Noskova powers past Pegula to win in Berlin and break into the top 10
A maiden top-10 ranking and the biggest title of her career: Linda Noskova (No 8) beat Jessica Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to win in Berlin, capping a week of powerful tennis days before Wimbledon.
Linda Noskova, Berlin 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Czech eighth seed Linda Noskova won the biggest title of her career on Sunday evening, beating American third seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to claim the Berlin Tennis Open and a place in the world’s top 10 for the first time.
The final, delayed by heavy rain that left groundstaff working to make the court playable, turned into a contest of fine margins between two players who know each other well. Noskova took the opening set 6-4, lost the second as Pegula levelled, and held her nerve in the decider to close out a win that capped a commanding week. It was her second WTA title and moved her head-to-head record against Pegula to 3-1.
The result was the reward for a run of authoritative tennis. Noskova had dropped just one set on her way to the trophy, beating Mexican Renata Zarazua (6-1, 6-4), Frenchwoman Diane Parry (6-2, 6-2), Spaniard Paula Badosa (6-1, 6-3) and the week’s breakout name Alexandra Eala (6-2, 6-4) in the semi-finals, ending the Filipino’s run of back-to-back top-10 wins.
The title carries her into the top 10 for the first time and marks her out as a player to watch at Wimbledon, now only days away.
For Pegula, the 2024 Berlin champion, it was a chance missed after the finest of her wins this week. She had beaten world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-0 in the semi-finals, having earlier come through against compatriot Madison Keys (7-6 (5), 7-6 (8)) and Czech Katerina Siniakova (6-2, 6-4)
