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Promising Czech Linda Fruhvirtova, 16, was lost for words and in disbelief after claiming her first top-25 victory at the Miami Masters. Fruhvirtova, ranked at No. 279 in the world, pulled off an upset on Friday as she defeated No.
20 seed Elise Mertens 7-5 2-6 6-1 to progress into the Miami third round. Mertens, ranked at No. 24 in the world, has been one of the better players for the past several years as she reached the Australian Open a few years ago.
"I never played against top-25 player, and, yeah, it's unbelievable. I still can't believe it. But I'm so happy I got the win here. I worked really hard for this, and I'm enjoying it," Fruhvirtova said after her win, per Tennis Majors.
Fruhvirtova bounced back after easily losing the second set
Mertens started the match with a break but Fruhvirtova broke back in the second game to level the set at one game apiece. Fruhvirtova found herself in an uncomfortable spot in the seventh game but managed to save three consecutive break points to take a 4-3 lead.
After saving three consecutive break points in the seventh game, Fruhvirtova broke Mertens to love in the 12th game to win the first set. Mertens responded well to losing the first set, having taken an early 2-0 lead in the second set.
Mertens then earned her second break of the set in the fifth game, before routinely serving out for a decider in the eighth game. After winning the second set, Mertens put pressure on Fruhvirtova early on in the third set but the 16-year-old saved break points in the first and third game to take a 2-1 lead in the decider.
Mertens paid the price for failing to convert break points in the first and third games as Fruhvirtova broke the Belgian in the fourth and sixth game to take a 5-1 lead. Mertens had a break point in the seventh game but Fruhvirtova saved it to finish the match on a five-game run.