Linda Fruhvirt defeated an experienced American to reach the eighth round in Thailand

After the Australian Open, other tennis tournaments on the women’s circuit have started. In addition to Lyon, the WTA 250 event in Hua Hin, Thailand is also taking place this week. Linda Fruhvirt took on Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the first round as the top eight seed and defeated her in two sets.

The 17-year-old Czech continues her rise. At the recently concluded Grand Slam, she played in the eighth round, which put her on top of the rankings. She is currently ranked 51st.

On the other hand, the 37-year-old American, who formed a successful doubles duo with Lucie Safarova in the past, played only three singles matches last year. Because of that, she dropped out of the WTA rankings. Also due to injuries, she gradually started to focus on doubles throughout her career.

In the first set of Tuesday’s duel, neither tennis player was very good on serve. Fruhvirt lost hers twice, Mattek-Sands three times.

The Prague native reached the decisive break at 4:3. After that, she calmly served out the set, taking advantage of the second set point.

The second act was heading for a clear result from the beginning as the experienced American player lost three serves in a row. However, she didn’t get a canary from Fruhvirtova in the end, as the great Czech talent also didn’t forgive herself for losing her serve.

However, there was no big turnaround. In the next game, Mattekova-Sands again failed to hold her serve and allowed her opponent to convert the first match point.

Fruhvirtová thus advanced to the top 16 of the Thailand Open 2023 after winning 6: 3 and 6: 1. In the eighth round, she will challenge the 132nd player in the world, Tamara Zidansekova of Slovenia, who defeated Australia’s Astra Sharma 6: 2 and 6: 3 in the opening round.

One more match with Czech representation is scheduled for the afternoon. Tereza Martincova will play the number one seed Caroline Garcia at the tournament in Lyon, France.

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