In a match that wrapped up under the Beijing lights, Czech tennis player Linda Nosková dispatched Britain's Sonay Kartal 6-4, 7-5 to secure her spot in the semifinals of the 2025 China Open. The 26th seed, showing remarkable composure on the hard courts, extended her winning streak in the tournament to four matches. Nosková's serve proved unbreachable in key moments, forcing errors from Kartal who had been on a hot run herself, upsetting higher seeds earlier in the week.
Indeed, Nosková's path here hasn't been straightforward. She started strong against Xiyu Wang in the round of 64, then faced a tougher test in the third round versus local favorite Qinwen Zheng. That one ended abruptly when Zheng retired injured after dropping the first set 6-4 and trailing 3-0 in the second— a blow to the home crowd but a clear break for the Czech. Next came Anastasia Potapova in the round of 16, where Nosková edged out a 6-3, 7-6 victory, saving set points in a tense tiebreak. Her quarterfinal against Kartal felt like the culmination of that momentum, though Kartal pushed back hard, saving three match points before folding.
However, the tournament itself has been marred by injuries, echoing complaints from top players about the grueling schedule. World No. 2 Iga Świątek voiced frustrations just days ago, hinting at possible skips for mandatory events to preserve health. Nosková, at 20 years old and ranked around 30 in the world, seems unfazed, blending power with precision that belies her youth. Her semifinal opponent isn't set yet, pending the outcome of the other quarterfinal clash.
Moreover, this run boosts Nosková's confidence after a mixed season—think her Australian Open quarterfinal earlier this year, followed by some early exits. Beijing's fast courts suit her aggressive style, and with points on the line for the WTA Finals race, she's making a statement. Yet, as the China Open enters its final stages, one wonders if the injury toll will claim more victims before a champion is crowned.