18-year-old Iva Jovic is one step from completing a successful title defense in Mexico.
The Southern California native will face Peyton Stearns for the title at the Guadalajara Open on Saturday, after taking out Cristina Bucsa in straight sets on Friday.
Jovic, who last year became the youngest WTA 500 winner since Martina Hingis in 1998, saved 11 of 12 break points in the victory – including all six break points she faced in the second set – to reach her second final of the season. She lost the final in Hobart in January.
Jovic, ranked No. 16, will face 60th-ranked Peyton Stearns for the title. It will be the pair’s first career meeting.
Jovic, who defeated Emiliana Arango for her first career title at last year’s event, enters the final with an 8-0 career record in Guadalajara.
Unseeded Stearns is now 4-1 in her career in semifinals at tour level after taking out Liudmila Samsonova, 7-6(7), 6-2. Stearns is into her first 500-level final and owns a 2-1 overall record in WTA finals. She won the Austin title earlier this year, defeating Taylor Townsend for the crown.
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