Fruhvirtová Battles Past Haddad Maia in WTA 125 Austin Thriller

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Linda Fruhvirtová, a 20-year-old Czech player, battled past a struggling Beatriz Haddad Maia in the first round of the WTA 125 Austin tournament, securing a spot in the round of 16. Fruhvirtová overcame a missed match point in the second set and a tie-break loss to ultimately triumph with scores of 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 after a grueling two-hour and 40-minute match.

Why it matters

Fruhvirtová's victory marks a significant scalp, as she defeated the tournament's fourth-seeded player and former top-10 competitor Haddad Maia. The win demonstrates Fruhvirtová's mental fortitude, as she was able to recover from a missed match point and a lost tie-break to secure the victory.

The details

In the first set, a single break in the sixth game proved sufficient for Fruhvirtová. She faced a break point only in the opening game, successfully defending it and comfortably holding her subsequent service games. The second set was a closely contested affair, reaching a decisive point in the late stages. Fruhvirtová initially mounted a remarkable comeback, winning five consecutive games from a 1-5 deficit and earning a match point in the twelfth game. However, she failed to convert, complicating her path to victory. She ultimately lost the tie-break 4-7, forcing a third and final set. Displaying strong nerves in the deciding set, Fruhvirtová initially fell behind, losing the third game and trailing 1-3. She then showcased another impressive turnaround, successfully closing out the match. She won five of the last six games, concluding the intense battle after two hours and 40 minutes.

• The match took place on March 9, 2026.

What’s next

Fruhvirtová will face a tough opponent in the round of 16, competing against either experienced Swiss player Viktorija Golubic or Anastasija Zakharova, the player who previously defeated her in Indian Wells.