QUITO/STARNBERG, December 2, 2025

The opening day of main-draw action at the WTA 125 Quito Copa Banco Guayaquil delivered five first-round winners, highlighted by a commanding performance from No. 3 seed Leolia Jeanjean. The World No. 102 and tournament favorite adapted seamlessly to the 2,800-meter altitude, outclassing the Netherlands’ Eva Vedder 6–1, 6–2 to book her place in round two. She will next face Sada Nahimana of Burundi, who defeated Ecuadorian wild card Valentina Vargas 6–3, 6–2. Vargas showed promising stretches of play but struggled to maintain intensity throughout the match.

Centre Court later hosted the day’s most dramatic battle, featuring two former Top 40 players. Slovenia’s Polona Hercog edged Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 7–6(0), 4–6, 6–3 after two hours and 58 minutes of physical, tactical tennis. Sorribes led by a break in the final set, but the 1.85m Hercog – once ranked No. 35 – kept her composure in key moments to turn the match around.

Maria Headlines Day 2; Ecuadorians Take the Stage

Tuesday will see the debut of world No. 41 Tatjana Maria, who enters with strong credentials, including four WTA titles and a Wimbledon semifinal. She faces Spain’s Irene Burillo.

Local players will also be in action: Camila Romero meets Russia’s Anastasia Zolotareva, while Mell Reasco will face Ukraine’s Valeriya Strakhova.

MONDAY RESULTS

Singles – First Round

Luisina Giovannini (ARG) def. Valentina Mediorreal (COL) 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
Polona Hercog (SLO) def. Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 7–6(0), 4–6, 6–3
Elvina Kalieva (USA) def. Miriam Bulgaru (ROU) 6–3, 6–3
Leolia Jeanjean (FRA) def. Eva Vedder (NED) 6–1, 6–2
Sada Nahimana (BDI) def. Valentina Vargas (ECU) 6–3, 6–2