Magdalena Fręch continued her successful run in Mexico, advancing to the semifinals of the Mérida tournament on Friday, February 23, 2026. The Polish player, who previously captured the WTA 500 title in Guadalajara in 2024, is proving that the country suits her game well.
Who was Magdalena Fręch’s opponent in the quarterfinal?
How long did the match between Fręch and Bouzkova last?
What is Magdalena Fręch’s current WTA ranking?
Who will Magdalena Fręch play in the semifinal?
The 28-year-old Fręch began her campaign with a victory over Mariya Timofeyeva of Uzbekistan in the first round, and followed it up with a dominant performance against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, losing just three games. In the quarterfinals, she faced a tougher test in Marie Bouzkova, the No. 4 seed (ranked 34th in the WTA). Interestingly, Bouzkova likewise has a tournament win to her name in Guadalajara.
Thrilling Quarterfinal for Magdalena Fręch
The match began with a flurry of activity, as both players traded games early on. Fręch initially took a two-game lead with a break, but Bouzkova quickly responded with three consecutive games of her own. Both competitors showcased a similar playing style, characterized by extended rallies. A key to Bouzkova’s game was her strong serve, which Fręch occasionally managed to neutralize.
As the first set progressed, Fręch regained momentum, winning a series of games. Bouzkova appeared to be struggling with the heat, as the temperature in Mérida reached 35 degrees Celsius. Fręch capitalized on this, securing the set 6:3 with three games in a row.
The second set started strongly for Fręch, holding serve with ease, and it seemed her serve would be a weapon her opponent couldn’t handle. However, Bouzkova quickly broke Fręch’s serve and took a 3-1 lead.
What followed was a back-and-forth exchange of breaks, with neither player able to hold serve. Eventually, Fręch leveled the score at 4-4 and began to pressure her opponent. The aggressive Czech player held firm, and it was Fręch who found herself under pressure, ultimately leading to a deciding third set.
Before the third set began, a break was called due to the “heat rule.” The temperature in Mexico was exceptionally high, impacting both players, and play was temporarily suspended. When Fręch and Bouzkova returned to the court, Fręch came out stronger, quickly taking a 2-0 lead. However, her joy was short-lived, as Bouzkova immediately broke back to level the score.
But Fręch responded by winning the next two games! Bouzkova then needed a medical timeout, but was unable to recover, as Fręch ultimately prevailed (6:3, 4:6, 6:3).
After more than three hours of competition, Magdalena Fręch secured her place in the semifinals of the Mérida tournament. She will face either Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva or Shuai Zhang. With her opponents ranked 122nd and 86th in the WTA rankings respectively, Fręch will enter the semifinal as the clear favorite!
