LUGANO, Switzerland  - Slovenia's Polona Hercog will look to win her first title in seven years at the Samsung Open presented by cornèr on Sunday.

The 28-year-old defeated France's Fiona Ferro in Saturday's first semifinal, 7-5, 6-4, to reach her first singles final of the season.

It will be Hercog's first appearance in final in nearly 12 months, as she finished runner-up to Pauline Parmentier at the Istanbul Cup last spring, as she looks to raise her first trophy since winning the second of her two Swedish Open titles in 2012. 

"I feel amazing and I'm really happy. The atmosphere is very relaxed, the crowd is great, and I'm enjoying it," an elated Hercog said upon reaching the final.

"I've had a pretty good few days and I'm feeling good here."


With seven of the eight seeds losing before the quarterfinals, and none reaching the semfinals, this week, World No.89 Hercog was the highest-ranked player remaining amongst the final four, and showed her form to reach her sixth career singles final.

She was a perfect 6-for-6 on break point opportunities over the course of one hour and 31 minutes against the 22-year-old Frenchwoman, who was contesting her first WTA semifinal.

Ferro put up a fight after facing a 5-2 deficit in the opener, as she saved three set points en route to winning three straight games, but ultimately could not overcome the expereinced Slovene.

The Frenchwoman also broke Hercog to get back on serve in the sixth game of the second set, after surrendering her own serve in the third game, but dropped serve to love immediately after for the deciding break of the match.

Hercog tallied 27 winners to 25 unforced errors in the match, with her forehand firing in crucial moments, while Ferro amassed 31 unforced errors to just 19 winners overall. 

She will next face the winner of the second semifinal between Polish teenager Iga Swiatek and Kristyna Pliskova.

"It's always good to know what's waiting for you in the next round. I have to make a little plan for the next match," she said.

"I will just go out there and enjoy it. I've been in this situation last year. I just want to enjoy the moment and try to play my best tennis."