Fruhvirtova beats Fruhvirtova to claim maiden Grade A title in Merida

Czech Republic’s Brenda Fruhvirtova and Mili Poljicak of Croatia topped the podium and claimed the biggest titles of their careers with stunning performances at JA Merida in Mexico.

For both players, it was their maiden Grade A triumph which brings with it considerable prestige, and their success has propelled them to career-high rankings. Fruhvirtova now stands at No. 6 in the girls’ rankings and Poljicak at No. 10 in the boys’.

Fruhvirtova, a member of the Czech Republic team that conquered all before them at the Junior Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Finals in Antalya in October, has long been identified as a tremendously talented individual. This victory was further evidence that the teenager, who is still only 14 years of age, possesses significant potential.

It was her fifth singles title of a hugely progressive campaign and the clearest indication yet that Fruhvirtova has all the attributes and credentials for a prosperous future in the game.

In Merida, there were some intriguing storylines also. In the semi-finals, Fruhvirtova claimed the scalp of junior world No. 1 Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, who a week earlier had won her first professional title at W25 Aparecida de Goiania.

Then, for the second week running, Brenda came up against her elder sister Linda in a final. Seven days earlier, in their first competitive meeting and with silverware on the line, Linda prevailed in straight sets at J1 Guadalajara.

On this occasion, however, it was the turn of Brenda, who is two years younger than Linda, to triumph. She did so 7-5 7-5 and now sits only one place behind her sibling in the junior world rankings.

While all of Fruhvirtova’s matches bar the semi-final tussle with Jimenez Kasintseva were straight-set affairs, it was a different story altogether for Poljicak, who proved himself to be something of the comeback king.

In both his quarter-final and last-four showdowns against Peru’s Ignacio Buse and fellow countryman Dino Prizmic respectively, Poljicak fought back from a set down before administering the knockout blow.

The final also required three sets, although on this occasion Poljicak surged into a one-set lead against Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo before being pegged back. Ultimately, he was not to be denied and a second title of 2021, following his victory at J1 Vrsar in October, was his.

In the doubles, meanwhile, Canadian pair Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko secured their fourth  title of the season with victory over compatriots Annabelle Xu and Naomi Xu.

In the boys’ doubles, Juan Manuel La Serna and Lautaro Midon overcame Brazil’s Joao Victor Couto Loureiro and Henrique Rocha of Portugal, prevailing 11-9 in a tense match tiebreak.