Stearns has reached the final without losing a set, but Jovic’s strong form and overall ability make her the favorite to retain the Guadalajara title.
Jovic Chases A Winning Finish To Her Campaign
- Stearns has a 2–1 record in tour-level finals.
- She is currently on a six-match losing streak against Top 20 players.
- Jovic has a 1–1 record in tour-level finals.
- She has a 22–7 record against players outside the Top 50 this year.
HTH
This will be their first meeting.
Stearns Reaches Biggest Final Of Her Career
Peyton Stearns defeated Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets to reach the final in Guadalajara this week, winning 7-6, 6-4. She trailed 0-3 and again allowed her opponent to serve for the first set before fighting back to claim it, which proved crucial to her straight-sets victory.
She has won all four of her matches in straight sets this week, including victories over Diane Parry and Sloane Stephens in the previous rounds. She will be relieved with the result after struggling significantly earlier this year.
The 24-year-old had played 20 events before this week and registered multiple main-draw wins only four times, notably lifting the title in Austin earlier this year.
She has played three finals before, all at WTA 250-level events, making this the biggest final of her career. She has a 2-1 record at this stage on tour.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Age | Born 8 October 2001 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| World Ranking | No. 60 |
| Career High | No. 28 (19 May 2025) |
| Elo Ranking | No. 80 |
| Tour-Level Titles | 2 |
Jovic One Win From Defending Her Guadalajara Title
Iva Jovic defeated Cristina Bucsa to secure her place in the final in Guadalajara, winning 6-4, 6-1. She saved 11 of the 12 break points she faced and broke her opponent four times during the match.
The 18-year-old registered a breakthrough result here in Guadalajara last year by reaching her maiden quarterfinals before going on to lift the title, making her the youngest player to win a WTA 500-level title since Martina Hingis in 1998. She is now one win away from defending those points this week.
The teenager has posted several notable results this year, including the final in Hobart and semifinals in Queen's Club, Charleston and Auckland, along with the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and fourth-round appearances in Wimbledon and Rome. These results have helped her stay comfortably inside the top 20.
This is her third tour-level final of her career. She defeated Emiliana Arango in 2025 but lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto in Hobart earlier this year.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Age | Born 6 December 2007 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| World Ranking | No. 16 |
| Career High | No. 14 (24 August 2026) |
| Elo Ranking | No. 18 |
| Tour-Level Titles | 1 |