Polona Hercog

Polona Hercog (, born 20 January 1991) is a Slovenian professional tennis player. Her career-high WTA rankings are 35 in singles and 56 in doubles. She has won five titles on the WTA Tour, three in singles and two in doubles. Hercog also enjoyed success on the ITF Women's Circuit, winning 18 singles and five doubles titles.

Partnering with Jessica Moore, she won the French Open and Wimbledon Championships junior titles in the doubles competition in 2008.

Early and personal life

Hercog was born in Maribor, Slovenia, to florist Romana and bar owner Vojko.Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Players, Info (Biography), Polona Hercog
As a four-year-old she began playing in the local tennis clinic opened by Mima Jaušovec, and at age 14 moved to Italy to train professionally.Official Website: About Polona
Hercog is fluent in Slovenian, English, and Italian, and cites Justine Henin as her role model. She currently resides in her hometown and practises in Budapest.Official Website: Interview with Polona

Career summary

2007—2009

Hercog made her WTA Tour debut at the Slovenia Open, losing to Elena Vesnina in three sets. In 2008, she participated in the İstanbul Cup, where she lost in the first round to Tsvetana Pironkova, but reached the finals of the doubles competition partnering with New Zealand's Marina Erakovic. The same year, Hercog and Australian Jessica Moore won two Grand Slam junior doubles titles, the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships. She also played qualifying at the US Open, but lost to Sandra Záhlavová in the first round, in straight sets.2008 US Open Qualifying Draw
at the International Tennis Federation

Hercog entered the 2009 Morocco Open in Fes via qualifying, and beat seventh seed Roberta Vinci to reach the quarterfinals, where she was defeated by Alisa Kleybanova. At that year's French Open, she upset 23rd seeded Kleybanova, but was in turn beaten by Aravane Rezaï. At the US Open, Hercog was beaten by American wildcard Christina McHale, in the first round. She also played the Luxembourg Open, defeating Maria Elena Camerin in the opening round. She then lost to Sabine Lisicki in two sets. Polona managed to make it up to the second round at the 2009 Allianz Cup in Sofia but was beaten by Bojana Jovanovski.

2010

Hercog began season at the Auckland Open where she lost to Shahar Pe'er in the first round.

At the Mexican Open in Acapulco, Hercog reached her first WTA Tour singles final and won her first WTA doubles title. She defeated Rossana de los Ríos in the first round, Alizé Cornet in the second, Ágnes Szávay retired from the quarterfinals match when Hercog was leading by a set, and Carla Suárez Navarro in two sets in the semifinals.Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
Hercog Awaits In Final
(26 February 2010) In the final, she lost to top seed and former world No. 1, Venus Williams, despite winning the first set.Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
Venus: Queen of Acapulco
(27 February 2010) Partnering with Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová, she won her first tour doubles title, beating the Italian duo Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci.

At the Indian Wells Open, Hercog defeated Raluca Olaru in the first round and was defeated by 11th seed Marion Bartoli in the second round.
She caused an upset in the second round of the French Open by defeating No. 24, Lucie Šafářová.

In Portorož, she reached the semifinals, was up a set against Anna Chakvetadze but then lost the match in three sets.
Seeded sixth at the Danish Open in Copenhagen, she had a chance to take revenge on Anna Chakvetadze as they met in the quarterfinals. Hercog lost the match, this time in straight sets.

2011

Hercog began the year at the Brisbane International where she lost in the first round to Iveta Benešová in two sets. Seeded second in qualifying at the Sydney International, Hercog lost in the first round to Jill Craybas. At the Australian Open, she lost in the first round in a close match to world No. 46, Anastasija Sevastova.

After the Australian Open, Hercog played at the 2011 Fed Cup World Group II against Germany. She defeated Julia Görges, however, she lost to Andrea Petkovic in straight sets. Slovenia lost to Germany 1-4. Seeded second at the Copa Colsanitas, she defeated Pauline Parmentier in the first round. In the second round, she lost to Petra Martić. Seeded second at the Abierto Mexicano, Hercog lost in the first round to Lourdes Domínguez Lino. She then stayed in Mexico for the Monterrey Open. Seeded eighth, Hercog defeated Angelique Kerber in the first round 6–3, 6–3. She then reached the semifinals where she lost to top seed Jelena Janković in two sets. At the Indian Wells Open, Hercog lost in the first round to Anastasija Sevastova. At the Miami Open, she lost in the first round to Chanelle Scheepers in three sets.

Hercog began her clay-court season at the Andalucia Tennis Experience. She lost in the first round to Laura Pous Tió, 1–6, 2–6. Next, Hercog played at the Morocco Open where she got revenge on Chanelle Scheepers by defeating her in the first round. However, she withdrew from her second-round match against Melanie Oudin due to an ankle injury. At the Barcelona Open