Chennai Open Final LIVE: 17-year old Linda Fruhvirtova won her first-ever WTA title as she made a terrific comeback after losing the first set against 30-year old Magda Linette to win the contest 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Fruhvirtova took two-and-a-half hours to claim the come-from-behind win over Linette, a two-time singles titlist on tour. The teen avenged a loss to Linette in their only prior meeting, at Cleveland last year. Follow Chennai Open LIVE updates on InsideSport,IN
Chennai Open Final LIVE: Linda Fruhvirtova wins her maiden WTA title, defeats Magda Linette in Chennai Open final- Check Highlights
At 17 years and 141 days old, Fruhvirtova is the youngest titlist of the season so far. She is the youngest singles champion on tour since Coco Gauff won Parma last year at 17 years, 70 days old. Despite the loss, a trip to her fifth career final means 67th-ranked Linette is projected to return to the Top 50. Linette’s career-high ranking is World No.33, achieved in 2020.
The match started with the experienced Magda Linette taking the lead as she broke for 5-4 in the first set. Linette then managed to hold on to her serve to win the first set 6-4 against the teenager. In the second set too Linette was very much in control as she won her first three service games. However Fruhvirtova showed her fighting spirit to get a crucial break over Linette and went on to lead 5-3 in the set before taking the match into the decider.
#LindaFruhvirtova comes from 1-4 down in the final set to beat #MagdaLinette 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to win her first #WTA singles title at the #ChennaiOpen pic.twitter.com/5Cj6AnYrmU
— Chennai Open WTA (@chennaiopenwta) September 18, 2022
Linette started the third set on a positive note by getting a break early for a 3-1 lead, and after holding for 4-1 the Pole appeared to be in charge. But Fruhvirtova made a terrific comeback from then on as she used powerful hitting to pull back on serve at 4-3, and moved ahead by a break at 5-4 with a sterling return.
Fruhvirtova then held on to her serve to clinch her maiden WTA championship. After her exploits in Chennai, Fruhvirtova is projected to make her Top 100 debut in Monday’s updated singles rankings.
Chennai Open Final LIVE: Linda Fruhvirtova wins her maiden WTA title, defeats Magda Linette in Chennai Open final- Check Highlights
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