18-year-old Iva Jovic is one step from finishing a profitable title protection in Mexico.
The Southern California native will face Peyton Stearns for the title on the Guadalajara Open on Saturday, after taking out Cristina Bucsa in straight units on Friday.
Jovic, who final 12 months turned the youngest WTA 500 winner since Martina Hingis in 1998, saved 11 of 12 break factors within the victory – together with all six break factors she confronted within the second set – to succeed in her second last of the season. She misplaced the ultimate in Hobart in January.
Jovic, ranked No. 16, will face Sixtieth-ranked Peyton Stearns for the title. Will probably be the pair’s first profession assembly.
Jovic, who defeated Emiliana Arango for her first profession title ultimately 12 months’s occasion, enters the ultimate with an 8-0 profession report in Guadalajara.
Unseeded Stearns is now 4-1 in her profession in semifinals at tour stage after taking out Liudmila Samsonova, 7-6(7), 6-2. Stearns is into her first 500-level last and owns a 2-1 general report in WTA finals. She gained the Austin title earlier this 12 months, defeating Taylor Townsend for the crown.
