Paula Badosa ends Linda Fruhvirtova’s Miami Open fairytale, but praises ‘fearless’ 16-year-old Czech

WTA Tour
Paula Badosa celebrations

Linda Fruhvirtova’s dream run at the Miami Open came to an end in the fourth round as Paula Badosa overcame illness to see off the wildcard in straight sets.

The 16-year-old Fruhvirtova has enjoyed a breakthrough performance in Florida, beating 20th seed Elise Mertens and former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka en route to reaching her maiden fourth round of a WTA tournament.

The Czech was the first player under 17 to reach the Miami fourth round since Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin in 2004.

However, her journey came to an end on Monday as she went down 6-2, 6-3 against world No 6 Badosa.

Fruhvirtova gave as good as she got early on as she fashioned four break point opportunities in game two, but the Spaniard held firm and then broke in the next game before getting an insurance policy in game five.

The teenager had the early advantage in the second set as she broke in game three, but failed to build on it as Badosa hit back immediately and broke again in game five.

“Today was a very tough day for me,” Badosa said. “I didn’t wake up feeling very well so I didn’t know if I would be able to finish the match. I always say I want to be a fighter no matter what so that’s what I did today. I kept fighting and I don’t really know how I won. But I’m very happy.”

The fifth seed was impressed by Fruhvirtova, saying: “She is very good, she plays fearlessly and she has a bright future.”

Badosa will face Jessica Pegula in the quarter-final after the 16th seeded advanced when Anhelina Kalinina from Ukraine retired with the American leading 6-0.

Jessica Pegula Linda Fruhvirtova Paula Badosa

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