Kostyuk and Noskova reach Wimbledon semifinals as Mertens' run ends

Kostyuk cruises past Paolini

Marta Kostyuk, the world No. 13 from Ukraine, needed just over an hour on Centre Court to dismiss last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-2. Kostyuk served superbly, never facing a break point, and broke the Italian twice in each set. The 24-year-old had not won a grass-court match since the summer of 2024 before arriving at the All England Club, but she has now reeled off five straight victories on the surface.

Kostyuk's season has been a tale of two halves. After struggling with injuries early on, she won titles in Rouen and Madrid and reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros in June. She is now the second Ukrainian woman after Elina Svitolina to reach the quarterfinals of a major on hard, clay and grass courts.

Noskova overcomes Mertens

Linda Noskova, the 21-year-old Czech seeded 12th, produced a composed display on Court One to beat Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 50 minutes. Noskova broke at 4-3 in the first set and again at 5-5 in the second, closing out the match with a strong service game. The win sends her into a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time, improving on her previous best of a quarterfinal at the 2024 Australian Open.

Noskova arrived in London on the back of her first grass-court title at the Berlin Open. She survived a match point against Sorana Cirstea in the third round and then knocked out former Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the last 16.

The feelings are incredible, like never before. This is what I am playing tennis for, these big stages and big matches.

Mertens reflects on quarterfinal run

Elise Mertens, 30, was contesting her first Wimbledon quarterfinal in nine attempts and her fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal overall. Her run included a win over second seed Elena Rybakina. Against Noskova, the Belgian felt she gave everything but was undone by her opponent's serving on key points.

I tried to stay in the match, to keep believing and to make it difficult for her. But she served really well and found the right spots in all directions.

Mertens also revealed she felt discomfort behind her left knee during the match but recovered after treatment from the physio. She leaves London with her best Wimbledon result and a return to the second week of a major for the first time since the 2020 US Open.

Semifinal lineup

Thursday's semifinals will see Kostyuk face Noskova, while the other last-four clash pits Karolina Muchova (9) against Coco Gauff (7). Gauff, the 2023 US Open and 2025 Roland Garros champion, and Muchova, a former Wimbledon semifinalist, both advanced earlier in the tournament. Noskova and Kostyuk are each bidding for a maiden Grand Slam final appearance.