Sports
Noskova Defeats Compatriot Muchova In Dramatic Final, Wins First Wimbledon Title
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Linda Noskova has won her first Wimbledon title in astonishing style as the tearful Czech recovered from wasting five match points to beat Karolina Muchova in one of the most dramatic finals in All England Club history.
Noskova, seeded ninth, appeared to be on the brink of a devastating loss when she broke down in tears after squandering those match points in the second set of a Centre Court classic.
But the 21-year-old somehow regained her composure in a final on Saturday with more twists than a Hollywood blockbuster.
Summoning incredible resilience, Noskova clinched her maiden Grand Slam crown with a remarkable 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 victory over her 10th-seeded compatriot.
Quite how she was able to avoid a complete meltdown in the aftermath of her mid-match collapse will go down in the annals of Wimbledon lore.
In two hours and 28 minutes of unrelenting drama, Noskova showed the heart of a champion to establish herself as the youngest woman to win Wimbledon in 15 years.
The third tour-level title of Noskova’s career emulated the success of her compatriot Petra Kvitova, who was the same age when she won the first of her two Wimbledon crowns in 2011.
It was a full circle moment for Noskova, who was inspired to take up tennis by the Wimbledon success of her childhood idol Kvitova.
Fittingly, Kvitova was watching from the royal box as Noskova celebrated her breakthrough victory.
For the third time in the last four years, a Czech woman won Wimbledon following Barbora Krejcikova in 2024 and Marketa Vondrousova in 2023.
Noskova, who banked the winner’s prize of £3.6 million ($4.8 million), has emerged as one of the rising stars of the women’s game during her remarkable run at the All England Club.
Like Kvitova, Noskova has been a quick learner on grass, having only played her first match on the surface in Birmingham in 2023.
She has won more matches on grass than any other player on the WTA Tour in the past two years.
Even so, she had never been past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam prior to arriving at Wimbledon two weeks ago.
Lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish was hard to imagine for Noskova when she faced match point against Sorana Cirstea in the third round.
Depths Of Despair
Noskova is only the third woman to win Wimbledon after saving a match point earlier in the tournament, joining Venus Williams (2005) and Serena Williams (2009).
Noskova is also the first woman since Maria Sharapova in 2004 to clinch a tour event on grass, in Berlin in June, and then win Wimbledon in the same year.
With her love of baking, penchant for lucky charms and unusual rituals — besides the piercing in her nose, she has matcha tea served by a friend every morning during the tournament — the quirky Noskova is a colourful addition to Wimbledon’s list of champions.
She has a painful Wimbledon memory — in 2024, she entered the tournament shortly after her mother had died of cancer.
Now she has a happier one to ease a little of that pain.
In the first Open era Grand Slam final between two Czech women, the pair are long-time friends, it was Noskova who took the first set with ease.
But that did not begin to tell the story to come.
Noskova wobbled spectacularly, wasting four match points and allowing Muchova to break back when she served for the match in the second set.
Putting her fingers in her ears to block out the crowd’s stunned reaction, Noskova squandered another match point as Muchova held to level at 5-5.
Noskova covered her head in a towel and appeared to wipe away tears before Muchova closed out the set.
She stormed off court before the deciding set, taking a break that proved decisive.
From the depths of despair, she broke early in the set and finally sealed her victory before collapsing to the turf in disbelief.
AFP
Manchester City have named Ruben Dias as their new captain, with Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma also included in the club’s leadership group.
Dias takes over from Bernardo Silva, who left City during the summer. The Portugal defender will lead the team, while Haaland, Guehi and Donnarumma will take on additional leadership responsibilities as City continue life under new manager, Enzo Maresca.
The announcement was made by coach Maresca earlier today, September 4, with the four players chosen for their experience and influence within the squad. Maresca previously named Enzo Fernandez as captain during their time together at Chelsea, but Dias will now wear the armband at the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca also spoke about Fernandez’s arrival at City after the Argentina international completed a joint-British record £125 million move from Chelsea on deadline day. He said several City players were keen to see the midfielder join the club because of his winning mentality and experience.
“I know Enzo quite well and I know what he can bring to the team,” Maresca said. “He is a winner, a winner’s mentality and knows how to win [after] the World Cup, Club World Cup.”
The manager added: “I can promise you that in the last four or five days four or five players from the squad were asking if he is coming or not because they want him to be with us.”
Fernandez could make his City debut against newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. His transfer formed part of City’s record £458 million spending spree, which also included Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the club had handled Fernandez’s departure respectfully and was now focused on moving forward.
“In football many things happen. With Enzo we have had conversations and always with respect. What he has done for the club has been great, but now it’s time to move forward,” Alonso said.
Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has provided the latest injury update on two of his players, Victor Osimhen and Mario Lemina.
Speaking to beIN Sports after Galatasaray defeated Başakşehir 3-2 in the Turkish Super Lig encounter on Friday, Buruk said Lemina and Osimhen sustained a groin injury.
According to him, both players will need to do MRIs, and hopefully, they can be ready for the upcoming Champions League match.
“Lemina had a slight groin pain in training yesterday. Osimhen also felt it today,” Buruk said.
Ex- Sierra Leone international Michael Lahoud has placed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen among the best three forwards currently playing in Europe.
Lahoud made the assessment while discussing Galatasaray’s prospects in the UEFA Champions League, expressing confidence that the Turkish giants have enough attacking quality to make a strong impression in the competition.
According to the former midfielder, Osimhen’s goalscoring ability, combined with the arrival of Portuguese star Rafael Leao, gives Galatasaray a major attacking advantage as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.
Lahoud argued that Osimhen belongs in the same conversation as some of the biggest names in world football, including England captain Harry Kane and France superstar Kylian Mbappe.
“Galatasaray has arguably the best striker in Europe right now alongside Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Victor Osimhen,” Lahoud said on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Lahoud Backs Galatasaray for Champions League Success
The former Sierra Leone international believes Galatasaray’s attacking options could make them one of the teams to watch during the Champions League league phase.
He particularly highlighted the combination of Osimhen and Leao, describing the Portuguese winger as a potential game-changer for the Turkish club.
Lahoud said the presence of Leao could provide Galatasaray with an additional attacking dimension, particularly in matches against some of Europe’s established clubs.
“I stand on business when I say that the numbers don’t lie when it comes to the Champions League. But the fact that Galatasaray have Rafael Leao, I think that becomes a real X factor,” he stated.
Lahoud went as far as predicting that Galatasaray would finish among the top eight teams at the end of the Champions League league phase.
“Galatasaray will finish the Champions League league phase in the top eight this season,” he added.
Osimhen Remains Key to Galatasaray’s Ambitions
Osimhen is expected to play a central role in Galatasaray’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe, with the Nigerian forward having established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in European football.
His pace, physical strength, movement and ability to score from different situations have made him a major attacking threat, while his Champions League experience is also expected to be valuable to the Turkish champions.
With Leao now providing another major attacking option, Galatasaray will hope their star-studded forward line can help them compete against Europe’s elite.
Lahoud’s prediction will also raise expectations around Osimhen, particularly among Nigerian football fans who will be hoping the Super Eagles striker can continue to deliver at the highest level on the European stage.
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