Guadalajara will crown a first-time WTA champion on Sunday, and the moment will be historic no matter who lifts the trophy. Seventeen-year-old Iva Jovic, the youngest player inside the Top 100 at No.73, continued her fearless march through the draw on Saturday, edging Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, to reach her first career WTA final.
The American saved a match point in her quarterfinal victory over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva and has now won 12 of her last 15 three-setters across all levels, showing a knack for thriving under pressure.
In Sunday’s final, Jovic will face 23-year-old Emiliana Arango of Colombia, ranked No.86, who defeated France’s Elsa Jacquemot, 6-4, 7-5, in her semifinal. Both players are bidding for their maiden tour-level title, ensuring a breakthrough moment awaits in Guadalajara.
