Linda Noskova said her Wimbledon success had still not sunk in after registering her first victory since the grass-court slam, beating Katie Boulter at the Cincinnati Open.

Noskova overcame fellow Czech player Karolina Muchova to win her first major title at SW19 in July, though she made a poor start to the North American swing by losing to Caty McNally in her opening match at the Canadian Open.

However, Noskova looked back to something approaching her best on Saturday as she dispatched Boulter 6-3 6-3 to reach round three, where she will face Clara Tauson.

Noskova said in her on-court interview: "I still have probably not 100% realised what happened in the last few weeks.

"It's still the same, it's still tennis, the court is still the same. Nothing changed, I had to get back and start all over again, like nothing happened."

Sixth seed Noskova will be joined in the next round by Jessica Pegula, who beat Simona Waltert 6-3 6-2 to tee up an intriguing all-American clash with Emma Navarro. 

Pegula was another big name to fall short in Toronto, losing in straight sets to Diana Schnaider in the round of 16, but she was pleased with her response in Ohio.

The world number three said: "It was a tough match. I had never played her before and I didn't know what to expect. 

"She's had some good results and some close matches with good players. It's been, I think, a good turnaround for me, and always nice to get the first win here."

22 - Since the format’s introduction in 2009, only three players have won more consecutive opening matches at WTA-1000 events than Jessica Pegula (22) – Iga Swiatek (33), Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka (23). Favourites.#CincyTennis | @CincyTennis @WTA pic.twitter.com/FAUJCjthmt

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 15, 2026

Noskova and Pegula pass opening tests

Not only was Noskova waiting for her first victory as a major champion – she was also bidding to improve on a poor record in Cincinnati.

This is her fourth appearance at the tournament, but she had fallen at the first hurdle on two of her previous three attempts.

However, she was untroubled by Boulter and has now won her opening match at six of her last eight WTA 1000 tournaments overall, only losing in Miami and Toronto this year.

Pegula, meanwhile, is close to a sure thing when she starts a WTA 1000 competition.

She has won her last 22 opening matches at such events, the fourth-longest such run in the history of the format (introduced in 2009).

Only Iga Swiatek, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka – all with runs of 23 – have ever won their opening matches at more consecutive WTA 1000 tournaments.