Linda Fruhvirtova reaches first WTA final in Chennai, set to break into top 100

Czech teenager Linda Fruhvirtova reached her first WTA Tour final at the Chennai Open on Saturday, beating Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in a thrilling battle.

The 17-year-old Fruhvirtova, ranked No 130 but who will break into the world’s top 100 for the first time next week, will play Pole Magda Linette, the No 3 seed, who advanced when Briton Katie Swan retired, trailing3-0 in their semi-final.

Fruhvirtova, a product of the Mouratoglou Academy, reached the final for the loss of just two sets. She beat qualifier En-Shuo Liang (4-6, 6-1, 6-3), Swede Rebecca Peterson, the No 5 seed (6-4, 6-2) and Russian Varvara Gracheva, the second seed (6-4, 6-3) before taking out former French Open semi-finalist Podoroska.

Earlier in the tournament, Podoroska, ranked No 298, won against Japanese qualifier Kyoka Okamura (6-4, 6-3), German Tatjana Maria, the No 4 seed (3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6)) and Canadian wildcard Eugenie Bouchard (1-6, 6-4, 6-2).

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