The Japan Times - Kostyuk sets up Wimbledon semi-final against Noskova

Kostyuk raced to a 6-3, 6-2 victory after just 69 minutes on Centre Court and will face Czech ninth seed Noskova on Thursday for a place in her first major final.

"I was on this court as a spectator once nine years ago watching Roger (Federer) and to be back here as a player is amazing," said the 24-year-old after her first appearance on the showpiece court at the All England Club.

"I walked past the 'wall of honour', stood beside it and took a moment."

The 12th seed has only lost one of her last 22 matches -- a semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva at the French Open last month.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Paolini could not reproduce the form she showed in her last-16 win over Alexandra Eala, losing in the last eight of a Slam for the first time.

The in-form Noskova was the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw after shock early exits for Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.

The 21-year-old lived up to that billing with a 6-3, 7-5 win over experienced Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens on Court One.

Mertens battled hard in her first Grand Slam quarter-final since 2020, but could not deal with Noskova's power.

The Czech has enjoyed an excellent grass-court campaign, reaching her first Slam semi-final after also winning her second WTA title in Berlin.

Kostyuk won her only previous meeting with Noskova, a straight-sets success in the quarter-finals en route to the Madrid Open title earlier this year.

"A tough one, it's never going to be easy," said Noskova. "Marta, she's an incredible player."

Two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff or Czech 10th seed Karolina Muchova will await the winner in Saturday's final.

- Zverev, Cobolli eye semi-final clash -

Zverev has followed up winning his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros by reaching his first-ever Wimbledon quarter-final, against Taylor Fritz later on Court One.

He beat Cobolli in five sets in the Roland Garros final and could face the 24-year-old again in the semis at the All England Club.

But the second seed may not be the favourite against big-serving American Fritz.

Sixth seed Fritz has won their last seven meetings and boasts a strong grass-court record, playing in the last eight at Wimbledon for the fourth time in five years.

Cobolli is in the Wimbledon quarter-finals for a second straight year, facing a very different test to when he lost to Novak Djokovic 12 months ago as he goes up against British wildcard Arthur Fery.

He was not anticipating another deep run at the start of the tournament, needing an Italian family to "give him a house in Wimbledon" after not booking his original accommodation for long enough.

Cobolli will be a strong favourite against Fery, the lowest-ranked man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since Nick Kyrgios in 2014.

But world number 114 Fery won their one other meeting in this year's Australian Open first round, his only previous match win at a Grand Slam.

"I played really well in Australia," said Fery, who could become the first wildcard to reach the Wimbledon last four since Goran Ivanisevic won the title in 2001.

"Felt like I dominated the match. So we'll use that experience for Wednesday."

T.Shimizu--JT