Both the Merida Open and Jiangxi Open continues this week as Ajla Tomljanovic faces Jil Teichmann while Arantxa Rus goes up against Linda Fruhvirtova in the round of 16. Damien Kayat previews.
2024 WTA Tour – WTA 250
Merida Open/Jiangxi Open
Yucatan Country Club/Nanchang International Tennis Centre
Selected RO 16 matches – 30 October
Jiangxi Open- Nanchang International Tennis Centre, Nanchang, China (Outdoor Hardcourts)
Arantxa Rus 54/100 | Linda Fruhvirtova 14/10
33-year-old Dutch journeywoman Arantxa Rus has enjoyed a solid career and will go into this match as a firm favourite. She created a little bit of history last season, winning the Hamburg European Open to become the oldest woman in 40 years to pick up a maiden WTA Tour title.
She hasn’t threatened the winner’s circle this season but has still managed to collect four quarterfinal appearances. She has been more competitive at the lower levels, reaching two ITF finals and a Challenger final (winning an ITF title in July).
She finished runner-up at a recent ITF event in Spain and will feel quietly confident going into this.
Linda Fruhvirtova- the elder of the Fruhvirtova sisters- must be one of the most out-of-form players in world tennis. The teenager burst into the scene in 2022, winning the Chennai Open as a 17-year-old.
She reached the 4th round of last year’s Aussie Open and would go on to become the youngest player in the top 50 in the world rankings. But attempts to remodel her serve have failed and her form has completely deteriorated. She came into this event in horrendous form, losing her last nine consecutive matches.
Initially known for her rally resistance, the Czech has struggled to maintain consistency in baseline exchanges. She will feel massively relieved after seeing off Kathinka von Deichmann in her opener. It was an improved serving display: she won 86% of her first-serve points despite tossing in four double faults.
The Verdict: Rus to win in three sets 32/10
These two share the head-to-head spoils at one win apiece. Rus won their most recent meeting, outlasting the Czech in three sets at this season’s Hobart International. Could Fruhvirtova get a lift from that long-awaited win over von Deichmann?
I think she will give Rus a solid test, but consistency is still an issue. Rus is a solid baseliner with a durable backhand that will likely wear the error-prone Czech down.
