Teens Coco Gauff and Linda Fruhvirtova stealing the spotlight at Miami Open

Remember when Coco Gauff was the darling of the U.S. Open, reaching the third round at 15 years old against then No. 1 Naomi Osaka?

Three years later the Delray Beach prodigy has steadily marched up the rankings to No. 17 — one spot below her career high — but Gauff is no longer the new kid on the block.

Gauff used her veteran savvy to pull out a come-from-behind 7-6 (7-1), 7-5 victory over China’s Shuai Zhang, Sunday afternoon on the Grandstand in Hard Rock Stadium to reach the Round of 16. However, just before her match it was 16-year-old Czech Linda Fruhvirtova stealing the limelight by defeating former No 1. Victoria Azarenka — a two-time Grand Slam champion and three-time Miami Open titlist (2010, ’11, ’16) — 6-3, 3-0, retired.

“I don’t feel old,’’ laughed Gauff, who turned 18 two weeks ago and received an electric Audi she hasn’t seen yet. “We both could technically both play [a junior match]. I’m done with juniors, and I’m pretty sure she probably is now.”

Just last summer, a couple of teenagers battled it out for the U.S. Open title in which Britain’s Emma Raducanu edged Canadian Leylah Fernandez.

“At some point the players have to change, and new players are coming in,’’ said the 279th-ranked Fruhvirtova.

Although Fruhvirtova overpowered Azarenka, the match ended in bizarre fashion, as the 32-year-old had been crying during the match and then at 0-3 of the second set approached the chair umpire, shook hands and stormed off the court with no apparent injury.

About three hours later, the 12th-seeded Belarusian issued a statement, stating personal reasons for her exodus.

“I shouldn’t have gone on the court today,’’ Azarenka’s statement read. “The last few weeks have been extremely stressful in my personal life. … I wanted to go out there and try, but it was a mistake. I hope to take a break and be able to come back.”

Nothing should overshadow Fruhvirtova’s achievement. She’s the first player under 17 to reach the fourth round in this tournament since Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin both did so as 16-year-olds in 2004. On Friday, Fruhvirtova, who’s based in Prague, stunned 24th-ranked Elise Mertens for her first top-30 victory.

“I’m really excited, happy. I can’t really describe it or find the right words,’’ said Fruhvirtova, who has dominated junior tennis with her 14-year-old sister, Brenda.

“I’m trying to soak it all in. I just wanted to play my game and not think it was Victoria Azarenka I’m playing on the other side of the court.”

Fruhvirtova, who has earned her wild card, has already won three ITF pro titles, and hopes to join the growing contingent of top Czech players such as No. 4 Barbara Krejcikova, No. 8 Karolina Pliskova and her idol, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who took out American qualifier Lauren Davis, 7-5, 6-1.

“We played a team exhibition in Czech Republic,’’ said Kvitova, who’s 32 and ranked 32nd. “Even over there [she was] fighting. She reminds me of me, fighting for every ball.”

American Shelby Rogers bowed to Veronika Kudermetova, however, 16th seed Jessica Pegula of Boca Raton, advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over 17th seed Elena Rybakina.

Fruhvirtova certainly doesn’t lack confidence and said her number one quality is “fighting.”

“I never give up,’’ she said. “This helps your confidence winning these big matches in the best tournament after Grand Slams. I want to be the best in the world.”

Fruhvirtova has already pocketed $104,000 for reaching the sweet 16. She will need that fight when she plays Spain’s Paula Badosa, the fifth seed, who coasted to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ulia Putintseva and clinched at least a career-high No. 3 by the end of the tournament.

Gauff, who saved two set points in the first set and trailed 2-4 in the second set, will also need to step up as she plays newly anointed No. 1 Iga Swiatek after the lanky Pole dusted American Madison Brengle, 6-0, 6-3.

“I played her in Rome last year in the semis and she won [7-6, 6-3],’’ Gauff recalled. “Honestly, I have no pressure going in. She’s the No. 1 player in the world. … I’m just going to go out there and play free.”

After all, Swiatek is an ancient 20.

This story was originally published March 27, 2022 at 9:25 PM.