Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open
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THE FACTS
When is Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova on and what time does it start? Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova will take place on Monday 23rd January, 2023 – not before 01:30 (UK)
Where is Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova taking place? Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova being played on? Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova
What channel is Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova on in the UK? Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Donna Vekic vs Linda Fruhvirtova live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
DONNA VEKIC
Former world number 19 Donna Vekic is enjoying her tennis under new coach Pam Shriver, conceding just seven games in her last two rounds after a very tight opener with Oksana Selekhmeteva. The 26-year-old’s best result of the week is a stunning 6-3 6-0 defeat of 18th seed Liudmila Samsonova in the second round to make it six wins from six so far in 2023 after a great campaign for Croatia at the United Cup. Vekic set her best Grand Slam exit at the US Open in 2019 with a defeat in the quarter-finals but she has reached the second week of all four majors, with this her second in Melbourne.
LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA
17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova proved herself once again more than just your average rising star with a brilliant three-set victory over fellow Czech Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday. The teenager will set a new career-high of around 51st no matter the outcome here, with plenty of her ranking points coming from her maiden WTA title won at the Chennai Open late last year. Fruhvirtova reached the second round of the US Open on her Grand Slam debut last summer, with this run to the round of 16 a remarkable debut in Melbourne.
THE PREDICTION
This match could end up an epic between two players enjoying brilliant form on tour over the last few months. Donna Vekic has revealed that she believes for the first time that she can win a Grand Slam title and the Croat is yet to lose this year to suggest she is capable of providing one of the bigger shocks at this level. She remains the favourite on experience in this first meeting with Linda Fruhvirtova but the 17-year-old has been exceptionally good herself and she lacks the sort of baggage that players like Vekic, once rising stars themselves, can experience in the tighter moments. The crowd will play a huge part in this contest, likely pulling more for Fruhvirtova as the young underdog, but Vekic should be backed to earn at least a set as the likelier of two very capable victors after beating seven top 40 opponents over her last five tournaments.
