You could feel the tension from the very first point. The kind of match where every rally makes your stomach tighten, where both players look like they’re playing for more than just a win. Linda Noskova, only 20, stood across from Jessica Pegula, calm. On paper, it looked like experience versus youth. Well, it was the semifinal of the China Open between Noskova and Pegula, but on court, it was fire versus control. The result? It brought tears.

Noskova started strong, breaking Pegula at 3-2 and holding confidently to take the first set 6-3. Pegula came back in the second set, breaking Noskova multiple times and dominating 6-1 as errors crept in. Noskova did not give in to the pressure the way many players would have. She remained calm, and the last set became a complete thriller. Pegu

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