Czech mates: Muchova-Noskova title showdown

London, United Kingdom — Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova will put their friendship on hold when they fight for the Wimbledon title on Saturday after the Czech pair took contrasting paths to their first All England Club final.

Muchova saved a match point in a pulsating 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (12/10) semifinal win against two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff that lasted over two hours in sweltering 33C heat on Thursday.

Just hours later, Noskova followed Muchova onto Centre Court to dispatch Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk with a dominant 6-4, 6-4 victory that took just 79 minutes.

It was a remarkable day for two players who have grown close despite being at far different stages of their careers.