If Czech prodigy Linda Fruhvirtova is looking for an omen as she plots her bid for a maiden Junior Grand Slam title, the history books may offer some considerable comfort.

The 16-year-old advanced to the second round of the Junior Championships at Wimbledon on a rain-affected day following the enforced retirement through injury of qualifier Kayla Cross from their first-round showdown.

Despite being the first match scheduled on Court No. 6 today, the clash did not finish until after 8pm such was the frustrating nature of the weather interruptions.

Cross took the opening set 7-5, although No. 8 seed Fruhvirtova battled back in the second to lead 4-1 when her Canadian opponent called time on her involvement. Fruhvirtova now faces Croatia’s Petra Marcinko for a place in round three.

Victory, meanwhile, continues Fruhvirtova’s unbeaten run on grass, having surged into the Junior Championships on the crest of the wave after topping the podium at J1 Roehampton on Sunday.

Not only was her triumph the biggest junior title of her fledgling career, it is worth noting that seven out of the last 10 girls’ champions at Roehampton have proceeded to lift silverware at Wimbledon. The pendulum of the past would appear to be swinging favourably for Fruhvirtova. 

“If you win at Roehampton, you get confidence playing on grass and a good feeling from that and a good feeling about yourself,” said Fruhvirtova, whose best Junior Grand Slam performance to date is reaching the third round here in 2019.

“It can be challenging also of course, playing until the end there and just having a day to recover. If you win at Roehampton and you’re playing well on grass then you definitely have a good chance of success here.

“For sure, Wimbledon is a special tournament and very unique. I said the same two years ago when I played here for the first time. I really like the grass. I am just going to try my best to get the best result, focus match by match and perform the best I can.”

While Cross was threatening an upset before injury struck, Ashlyn Kruger of the United States delivered one by dispatching No. 3 seed Diana Shnaider of Russia, winning 7-5 7-5.

“I felt confident. I knew Diana was a good player but I don’t look at seeds a lot of the time.” said Wimbledon debutant Kruger. “I feel that everybody is equally as good and that is why they are here. That said, knocking a seeded player out is always a bonus.”

Krueger stands at 6’1 and sees similarities in her style of play with those employed by the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Pliskova, who are among the taller players on the women's tour. The 17-year-old intends to continue with the game-plan which has served her well.

“I am a ball-striker and I am not going to rally for 10 or 12 balls,” she added. “I am going to use my pace, that is going to be my strength here, I intend to play my game and it will all come together.”

Another Russian, qualifier Ksenia Zaytseva, awaits Kruger, who claimed the prestigious Orange Bowl title at JA Plantation in 2020 and is ranked No. 30 in the girls’ rankings, in round two.

Elsewhere in the girls’ draw, Michaela Laki of Greece was another seeded player to fall, losing 6-1 2-6 1-6 to Elizabeth Coleman of the United States.

In the boys’ draw, No. 6 seed Daniel Rincon of Spain survived a scare before overcoming wild card Roan Jones of Great Britain 4-6 6-1 6-0, setting up a second-round tussle with American Ozan Colak.