Linda was the name to watch at Indian Wells on Monday, with two Czech players named Linda winning their respective first-round matches at the BNP Paribas Open.
In particular, 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova put up an impressive fight, coming back from a set down to beat Mayar Sherif, 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 after two hours and 12 minutes of play. Sherif had dominated the first set, winning 89% of her first-serve points and all four points she played on her second serve. She also won eight of the 10 points played on Fruhvirtova’s second serve, converting three break points along the way.
However, Fruhvirtova raised her game in the second set, winning 78% of her first-serve points to Sherif’s 62% and 64% of points on return on Sherif’s second serve. Two breaks of serve gave Fruhvirtova the chance to level the set and push the match into the decider. In the final set, both players traded breaks once before Fruhvirtova secured a second break that helped her clinch the set and progress to the round-of-64.
Fruhvirtova’s compatriot, 18-year-old Linda Noskova, also impressed in her first-round match, beating Irina-Camelia Begu 7-6(7), 6-1 in an hour and 30 minutes. Noskova was down a break in the first set but rallied to reset the proceedings back on serve. She also thwarted the Romanian from converting the set point she had during the tie-break. In the second set, Noskova didn’t win any of the three points played on her second serve but still outplayed Begu, not facing any break points in the set and converting two break points to secure the win.
However, not all players named Linda had such a good day. Alycia Parks suffered another first-round defeat, with Anna Kalinskaya beating her 6-1, 6-1 in just 56 minutes. Parks has now lost in the first round of three of the four tournaments she’s played since taking the title in Lyon. The only event where she reached the second round was the Merida Open.
Looking ahead, Fruhvirtova will play 27th seed Anhelina Kalinina, while Noskova will face 31st seed Amanda Anisimova in the next round.