Quito Prediction: Hercog vs Kalieva 12/5/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

Former World No. 35 Polona Hercog will face World No. 206 Elvina Kalieva in the quarterfinal of the 2025 Quito Challenger on Friday, December 5. Here’s our Polona Hercog vs Elvina Kalieva prediction. This preview will also include a Polona Hercog vs Elvina Kalieva pick.

Polona Hercog vs Elvina Kalieva Preview

Polona Hercog is competing in her 10th tournament of the season. This is her first appearance in Quito, where the 34-year-old is attempting to build on a recent quarterfinal run in Colina. Hercog had missed almost seven months of action between January and July because of undisclosed reasons.

In the first round in Quito, Hercog opened with a three-set win over Sara Sorribes Tormo, which took the best part of three hours. She won 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, hitting four aces and winning 74% of first serve points (53/72). In the second round, she required another three-setter. This time, she beat an in-form Oleksandra Oliynykova, who captured two titles at the 125K level in recent weeks.

Hercog defeated the 24-year-old Ukrainian 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 31 minutes, taking her combined time spent on court past the five-hour mark. In the victory, she hit 3 aces and 5 double faults. Hercog landed 72% of first serves in play and won 67% of first serve points (42/63). Hercog won 42% of second serve points (10/24) and saved six of 10 break points.

Elvina Kalieva kicked off the tournament with a straight-sets win over Miriam Bulgaru that took 18 games to decide. The match lasted an hour and 23 minutes. In the second round, Kalieva beat compatriot Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 31 minutes. She fired 5 aces and 4 double faults. Kalieva landed 59% of first serves in play and won 65% of first serve points (22/34). She won 54% of second serve points (13/24) and saved three of five break points.

Polona Hercog vs Elvina Kalieva Head-To-Head

Hercog and Kalieva have met once on the ITF. Kalieva won that match in straight sets at the Rancho Santa Fe ITF four seasons ago.

Polona Hercog vs Elvina Kalieva Prediction

Hercog is a clay specialist and one of the most experienced names in the field in Quito. She’s leveraged on that experience and played with grit in securing two marathon wins. Kalieva has spent half of Hercog’s time on court this week, and if Hercog struggles to shorten points, the younger, more energetic Kalieva has every shot at taking this match, and the upside case in this match sits with her.

Nur Said's Pick: Kalieva in three sets