Young Czech tennis player Linda Fruhvirtová experienced a moment of absolute happiness on Saturday in Chennai, India. After a long battle, her rising star, just seventeen, made it to the first final of her career on the WTA circuit and she enjoyed unprecedented support from viewers in India.
After a double fault from her opponent, Nadia Podoroska, which resulted in a converted match point, lay on her back and burst into tears of happiness. She only returned to reality after long seconds and apologized to Argentina for making her wait for the last handshake.
A moment later, he was enthusiastically sending kisses and smiles to the audience. The ovation after the 5: 7, 6: 2, 6: 4 win was stormy.
“This was the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in. So thank you very much,” the Czech tennis player marveled after the game, shaking her head in disbelief.
The moderator introduced Fruhvirtova with an admired exclamation of “Wow”.
She managed the semi-final which lasted two and three quarters of an hour, during which she had to be treated several times, mainly thanks to her exemplary combativeness.
She has already lost 2: 4 in the deciding set, but then went into a game trance and by winning four games in a row she achieved the biggest success of her short career so far. She hasn’t converted the first three match points of the tenth game yet, but thanks to her opponent’s failure, she made it.
“It was like a gladiator contest or a wrestling match,” exclaimed the Indian host. Fans were also delighted with the Czech tennis player. T-shirts with a picture of the Prague native printed on them, as well as a banner reading “Chennai loves Linda Fruhvirtova” were seen in the auditorium.
The Czech had to laugh as she specifically thanked one side of the local tennis stand. It was from her that frantic support flowed.
“Wonderful. Great audience,” he thanked again and again.
He described the match as one of the most difficult of his life. “It was a huge battle. Nadia pushed me beyond my limits. I kept fighting and believing,” she added.
With great joy he received the news that in the new edition of the world ranking he will make his way for the first time among the hundred elites. And he promised to do everything to get himself back on track for Sunday’s final after a tough fight.
He will have a disadvantage, as his Polish opponent Magda Linette only played a few minutes in the second semi-final before Katie Swan gave up due to injury.
Fruhvirtová, thirteen years older, has a lot to pay back, losing to Linette in two sets in the round of 16 of the Cleveland tournament last year.
–
