Linda Fruhvirtova, an upcoming tennis player from Czech Republic, created history at the on-going Miami Open by reaching pre-quarters for the first time in her short career. Showcasing impeccable form with clean hitting, the 16-year-old has already seen the better of two elite players. Currently ranked no. 279, the teenager was more accustomed to playing ITF events but found herself in a dream run at the Miami Open.
Maria Sharapova was the last 16-year old at the Miami Open
During the journey to claim victories, Fruhvirtova also achieved a unique record to herself. She became the first player under 17 to reach pre-quarters at Miami since Maria Sharapova achieved the same feat in 2004.
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17 – Linda #Fruhvirtova is the first player aged less than 17 years old to reach the Fourth Round at the Miami Open since Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin in 2004. Astonishing.#MiamiOpen2022 @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/vBGdzncWSg
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 27, 2022
The Russian star was not the only person to achieve this feat. Tatiana Golovin, from France, playing with a wild card also did the same.? Sharapova could not manage to progress any further and suffered a straight set loss to Serena Williams, who was the top seed. Golovin too suffered a similar fate.
All of the feels ❤️
At 16 years old, Linda Fruhvirtova is the youngest player to make the #MiamiOpen Round of 16 since 2004! pic.twitter.com/pqhgqHykJb
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 27, 2022
Fruhvirtova’s next opponent will be her highest ranked opponent so far as she is slated to play Paula Badosa. The Czech youngster has defeated two top-30 players on her way to the fourth round. She won her second round against Elise Mertens and the next match against Victoria Azarenka, who chose to retire midway in the second set.
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Azarenka storms out of the court
In an extremely bizarre turn of events, Azarenka, trailing by a set and three games, suddenly went over to the umpire, said something and shook her hands, even as the umpire is heard saying ?Vika we need to wait.??She barely shook her opponent’s hand and walked straight out of the court. This was not only the lack of sportsman spirit but also left both the chair umpire and Fruhvirtova confused.
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“I saw it wasn’t her best tennis but of course I didn’t want it to end this way,” Fruhvirtova said after winning the match, 6-2 3-0. “Vika is one of the players I grew up watching and she is definitely the one to look up to. I hope that she feels better as soon as possible. I don’t think I’ve ever played in such a big stadium and these are the memories I’m going to remember forever.”
Having a dream run at Miami, any victory from here will be a huge confidence booster for Linda Fruhvirtova as she can play her natural game freely without worrying about expectations.
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Also read: Victoria Azarenka Leaves 16-Year-Old Prodigy in Shock As She Makes a Bizarre Move at Miami Open 2022