Astra Sharma vs Linda Fruhvirtova Prediction & Betting Tips - Charleston 2, USA, Qualifying

Prediction published on 16/04/2021, 07:42  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/04/2021 at 15:58 in Tennis Predictions

Australian Astra Sharma is the world number 165 and takes on wild card Linda Fruhvirtova in the quarter final of the MUSC Women's Health Open. Sharma saw her world ranking drop by 31 places in the list published on April 12. Points earned from two good tournaments in March 2020 had gone off her score but now she's back climbing the rankings. Her best ever ranking is 89th and in the live rankings, she's at 156. Her first three tournaments of 2021 saw her only win one match. Much better form was shown in Mexico where she reached the quarter final. Two more bad results were had in Miami and on clay in Bogota. This week has seen her back in form with a win over eight seeded Madison Brengle in the second round. Sharma has had more success playing doubles, winning the mixed doubles at the 2019 Australian Open. On the ITF circuit, Sharma won two clay court tournaments four years ago and last year reached the second round of the French Open.

Her opponent is ranked 499th in the world and only 15 years old, so it's been a big week for the Czech player. The live rankings have Fruhvirtova up to 361 for next week and a win here will take her even higher. 499 was already her highest ever world ranking and March 2020 saw her down at 952nd. She's been climbing the rankings due to her success on the ITF circuit. Fruhvirtova lost in the final of a tournament held in Hamburg but followed that up with two wins in Tunisia. Given a wild card for this event, the Czech knocked out fourth seeded Elize Cornet in the first round. It was one set all and 4-4 in the third before Cornet retired. A straight sets win over Emma Navarro followed in round two. Fruhvirtova is the youngest player in the top 500 and looks to have a bright future. Sharma has the better clay record and is much more experienced of the two, go for  her to win this match.