The 18-year-old football player, ranked 14th, needed 1 hour 26 minutes and did not face any break points in the final. She won 70.2% (40/57) of her service points to Stearns’ 58.8% (30/51), 41.2% of her return points to 29.8%, and 61 of 108 points played.
She went through the week without dropping a set, defeating her friend Zeynep Sonmes 7-6 (5), 6-4, Polish No. 7 Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-1 and Spanish No. 6 Christina Buksa 6-4, 6-1.
It is her second career WTA singles title, a year after she first won here against Emiliana Arango.
“It’s amazing to be back here in the final with this beautiful trophy and this sombrero. I like it here. You guys have given me so much energy. The crowd is my favorite thing about coming here, so I’m very thankful to be here,” he said. “I’m just happy with the improvements I’ve made over the year. I think I’ve shown that I’m a more complete and better player than I was this time last year.”
Stearns, ranked No. 55, beat Colombian Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2, French No. 4 Sloane Stephens 7-6 (6), 6-4 and Russian No. 8 Lyudmila Samsonova (7-6).
“Obviously you love Guadalajara and Guadalajara loves you. Hope you come back here. Great week for me too. Very proud of myself,” Stearns said.
