Donna Vekic, the seasoned Croatian tennis player, ended Lulu Sun’s remarkable Wimbledon journey on a damp Tuesday. Vekic, unseeded in the tournament, battled past the 123rd-ranked qualifier from New Zealand, securing a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 victory to reach her first-ever Grand Slam singles semifinal in her 43rd main draw appearance. This victory not only marked a personal milestone for Vekic but also made her just the second woman from Croatia to reach the Wimbledon semifinals, matching the achievement of Mirjana Lucic in 1999.
The match was far from a smooth sail for the 28-year-old. Vekic acknowledged the tough challenge posed by Sun, saying, “It was a really tough match. She played unbelievable. She pushed me to my limits.” The Croatian player admitted to feeling exhausted throughout the first two sets, but ultimately found her opportunity to turn the tide in her favor. She will now face either seventh seed Jasmine Paolini or 19th seed Emma Navarro for a spot in the Wimbledon final on Saturday.
Vekic’s triumph is particularly poignant given her previous struggles with form and fitness after undergoing knee surgery in 2021. She tearfully acknowledged the support of her team, saying, “I have a full box of people and without them I would not be here.”
Sun displayed impressive resilience in the first set, saving three breakpoints and capitalizing on a crucial break at 6-5 to take the lead. She further showcased her finesse by securing the set with a delicate drop shot. However, Vekic fought back fiercely in the second set, breaking Sun’s serve in the eighth game before overcoming a flurry of double faults during her own service game. A well-placed drop shot sealed the second set for Vekic, with Sun seemingly losing momentum as the match progressed.
The turning point came in the third set when Vekic broke Sun’s serve after a double fault from the New Zealander. Vekic capitalized on the momentum, quickly establishing a commanding 5-0 lead. She closed out the match with a dominant serve, shattering Sun’s hopes of becoming the first female qualifier to reach the Wimbledon semifinals since American Alexandra Stevenson 25 years ago.
Vekic’s tenacious victory stands as a testament to her perseverance at the grandest stage of tennis. Her accomplishment is even more remarkable considering that only four other players, Barbora Strycova (53), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (52), Elena Likhovtseva (46), and Roberta Vinci (44), have needed more Grand Slam appearances to make a maiden semifinal since the sport turned professional in 1968. This victory marks a significant moment in Vekic’s career, showcasing her unwavering determination and ability to overcome adversity on the court.
