By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 15 2021
15-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova rounded out a youthful octet at the MUSC Health Women’s Open in Charleston on Thursday, as the rising Czech, ranked 499, took out local favorite Emma Navarro in straight sets, 6-4 6-2 to earn her second career WTA-level win and a date with Astra Sharma in the quarterfinals.
Fruhvirtova, a wild card from the Czech Republic who defeated Alizé Cornet for her first WTA win in her opening match at Charleston, joins 18-year-old Clara Tauson and 19-year-old Maria Camila Osorio Serrano in the final eight.
"It's an amazing feeling to be in the quarters for the first time," she said. "It was a tough match for sure."
Osorio Serrano on a Seven-Match Tear
Colombia’s Maria Camila Osorio Serrano also advanced on Thursday, winning her seventh match in a row. The Bogota champion, fresh off her maiden title last week, took out American Christina McHale, 2-6, 7-6, 7-6.
The 19-year-old is playing just her fourth WTA-level event. Afterwards she talked about her ability to wiggle out of tough situations in her matches.
"Two days ago, with Linette, I was was love-40 and 5-all in the third set, I don't know what happened,” she said. “I don't know what's going on, I turn the matches, I don't know how, it's really crazy, because in the moment I don't feel that much, I just feel let's play this point and then the next one and the next one, but after that I get nervous. But I'm happy and proud that that's how I feel on court right now, and that I'm doing really well, that I'm not thinking that much, because that's actually what you need to do on court, not think the match and just play."
She will face Denmark’s Clara Tauson in Friday’s quarterfinals. Tauson, playing in just her sixth WTA event, defeated Ajla Tomljanovic on Wednesday.
"Well I feel a little bit tired of course, after seven matches, but I'm super happy and proud of what happened today, because I kept fighting all day, and I feel I'm doing better and better and feeling better on court and with more confidence. That's really good, I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I'm going to just keep doing what I'm doing, fighting and enjoying."
Here is how the quarterfinals shape up for Friday in Charleston: