Quito Challenger Prediction: Polona Hercog vs Luisina Giovannini
10:00 AM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Polona Hercog -161 / Luisina Giovannini +120
Polona Hercog vs Luisina Giovannini Preview
Polona Hercog reached her first final of the season at the Quito Challenger with a massive win over World No. 102 Leolia Jeanjean. Hercog won the match in straight sets in just 75 minutes. In the victory, Hercog hit 5 aces and 2 double faults. She landed 84% of first serves in play and won 94% of first serve points (30/32). Hercog won 33% of second serve points (2/6) and did not face a break point. She prevailed 6-2, 6-2.
Before this victory, Hercog won her first two matches this week against clay specialists Sorribes Tormo and Oleksandra Oliynykova in three sets, and spent over five hours on the court. In the quarterfinals, she beat Elvina Kalieva in straight sets and will now be the favorite to win the title on Sunday. Hercog’s last title win was in the 2023 season when she won the Vrnjacka Banja ITF.
Luisina Giovannini is through to her first career final at the 125K level. The 19-year-old overcame Despina Papamichail in straight sets in the other semifinal in Quito. The match took 18 games to decide and lasted an hour and 34 minutes. Giovannini prevailed 6-4, 6-2. She landed 61% of first serves in play and won 63% of first serve points (25/40). Giovannini won 58% of second serve points (15/26) and saved four of six break points.
Giovannini had won each but one of her four matches this week in straight sets. Only Mediorreal Arias in the first round took her the distance, but she eventually cruised to victory. The Argentine is a nine-time champion on the ITF level and captured five titles in that tier this season. She will break into the top 200 if she wins the trophy in Quito.