Noskova targets Czech double with Krejcikova

Girls' singles finalist hopes to join compatriot on the Roland-Garros champions list for 2021

Linda Noskova, Roland Garros 2021, girls' singles semi-finals© Julien Crosnier/FFT
 - Alex Sharp

Last September, Linda Noskova was competing against fellow Czech Barbora Krejcikova on home soil. The 16-year-old can’t quite believe that both are now in a Roland-Garros final this weekend.

Noskova battled back 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to navigate past No.4 seed Diana Shnaider and into her first Grand Slam junior final, where she’ll meet Russia’s Erika Andreeva.

The Czech youngster has been watching every moment of Krejcikova’s breakout Grand Slam, hoping they can both triumph on the terre battue.

“It’s a huge inspiration. I met her in the locker room and I said congratulations. I wish it will be a Czech double victory, that would be awesome,” stated Noskova, who remembers the 6-3, 6-1 defeat she suffered against Krejcikova at the W25 Prerov very well.

“That didn’t turn out to well for me,” quipped the teenager. “It was a great experience for me to face such a huge player.”

The junior world No.20, already with a WTA ranking of No.655, is the first Czech girl to make the singles final here since Eva Sviglerova finished runner-up in 1989.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, I’m also completely exhausted, so it’s mixed feelings. I’m excited of course, looking forward to this finale,” she added, having won two pro titles this spring.

Erika Andreeva, Roland-Garros 2021, girls' singles semi-final

“I think my game has changed a lot. I’m using opponents’ mistakes and also not giving them too many chances. I think it’s developed a lot because I’m focusing on what I need. Women’s is obviously much more difficult, but I’m trying.”

Andreeva is also looking to follow in the footsteps of another compatriot in the women’s final.

“I like to watch Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. I’ve been very inspired, I think it had a role in my win today," she said.

The 16-year-old pulled off a miraculous 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(0) comeback to oust fellow Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva.

“I feel many emotions because I saved three match points. I’m really happy after this tough win,” she said, hoping to be the first Russian girls’ Roland-Garros champion since Daria Kasatkina in 2014.