NBO in Focus: Czechia Sweep Grass-Court Singles Titles

Days until National Bank Open: 39

Noskova, Bouzkova Win First Grass Titles

It was a good week on the lawn for Czech tennis as Linda Noskova and Marie Bouzkova both hoisted their first grass-court trophies. 

Noskova didn’t concede a set en route to the Berlin final, where she defeated No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula – the American beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-0 to reach the title match. The triumph brings Noskova into the WTA Top 10 for the first time, taking compatriot Karolina Muchova’s spot at No. 10.

Bouzkova had a near identical title run in Nottingham. The 27-year-old also didn’t drop a set on her way to the final and was victorious against an American to secure her third-career WTA title, defeating No. 3 seed Emma Navarro. Bouzkova moves up to No. 22 in the rankings, a career-high for the Czech.

Read also: Must-do Activities at the 2026 National Bank Open in Toronto

Wimbledon has had a Czech ladies’ singles champion twice in the last three years – Barbora Krejcikova won in 2024 and Marketa Vondrousova in 2023. 

Eala – A Wimbledon Dark Horse?

Alexandra Eala’s large-scale fanbase has a lot to be excited about when the year’s next major gets underway in a week’s time. The Filipino opened her Berlin campaign with a win over Queen’s Club champion Donna Vekic before she continued to be a Top 10 player’s nightmare. 

Eala defeated world No. 2 Elena Rybakina and world No. 8 Elina Svitolina, both in straight sets, on her way to a semifinal finish in the German capital. The 21-year-old now has six-career Top 10 wins with four coming this year.

The world No. 30 was a grass-court titlist at the WTA 125 event in Birmingham earlier this month and will make a stop in Bad Homburg before heading to the All-England Club.

Andreeva Set for Wimbledon Tune Up

Mirra Andreeva is set to play in her first grass event of the season in Bad Homburg, her first tournament since winning her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros.

The 19-year-old enters as the No. 2 seed, with a potential quarter-final clash against Naomi Osaka on the cards.

Read also: More on Maja Chwalinska’s Remarkable Roland-Garros Run

Top-seed Iga Swiatek also returns for the first time since Roland-Garros, in her final tune up before she attempts to defend her Wimbledon title. Also, on Swiatek’s half of the draw is five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams who opens against qualifier Irina-Camelia Begu.

All winners from last week:

WTA 500 Berlin

• Women’s Singles: Linda Noskova (1/2)* d. Jessica Pegula
• Women’s Doubles: Ekaterina Alexandrova/Linda Noskova d. Sara Errani/Nicole Melichar-Martinez

WTA 250 Nottingham

• Women’s Singles: Marie Bouzkova (1/3)* d. Emma Navarro
• Women’s Doubles: Harriet Dart/Maia Lumsden d. Shuko Aoyama/Hao-Ching Chan

*(2026 titles/career titles)

The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: WTA