For Iva Jovic, Guadalajara will do.
The 18-year-old American completed a successful title defense on Saturday night, defeating American rival Peyton Stearns 6-4, 6-2 for her second career title, in Guadalajara’s first all-American final.
Second-seeded Jovic hung tough through the first eight games, then capitalized on a letdown from 60th-ranked Stearns in the first set, claiming a break as Stearns double-faulted.
She then served out the set in the next game.
Momentum in hand, Jovic broke in the first game of the second set and never looked back. She didn’t face a break point all evening and added an insurance break for 5-2 in the second set before finishing off her title in one hour and 27 minutes.
The Southern California native improves to 2-1 in WTA finals and 9-0 in Guadalajara.
After the match, Jovic donned the sombrero and celebrated a successful week that takes her to a career-high No. 13 in the live rankings.
“It’s amazing to be back here in the final with this beautiful trophy and this sombrero,” Jovic said during the trophy presentation. “I love it here. You guys have given me so much energy. The crowd is my favorite thing about coming here, so thank you so much for being here.”
Jovic had to cut things short as rain interrupted the trophy ceremony – rain poured down as Mexican music played and fans sought shelter, but nothing could dampen Jovic’s spirit.
If she had taken any longer to defeat Stearns, she might have had to endure a prolonged rain delay. Instead, the efficient teenager goes home as a dominant defending champion with a Top 10 ranking in her grasp.
The always stingy Jovic converted three of five break points, cracked 13 winners and committed 16 unforced errors, while Stearns hit 20 winners against 33 unforced errors.
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