Linda Nosková defeated Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5 in the first round of Wimbledon, relying on a dominant serve and timely break in the second set. Nosková won 81% of points on her first serve and fired six aces, while Mertens saved nine of ten break points but could not convert any of her own break chances.
The first set swung on serve Nosková broke three times, at 1-1, 2-2 and 3-3, to secure it 6-3. The second set was a rollercoaster, with breaks in the first, third, fifth and seventh games leaving the score at 3-4. At 5-5, Nosková broke Mertens again at 6-5, then served out the match.
Nosková did not face a break point in the second set and saved the only one she faced in the match. Her first-serve percentage of 64% was modest, but she won 30 of 37 points behind it, keeping Mertens under constant pressure on return.