Diana Shnaider etched her name into the history books, winning her first WTA title on grass at the Bad Homburg Open on Saturday. The Russian battled past Donna Vekic in a thrilling final, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, marking her second career title. The first set saw Shnaider take an early lead before Vekic’s powerful returns forced her to fight for every point. Shnaider saved two break points to reach 5-2, winning a grueling game that went to seven deuces. Despite facing seven break points in the next game, Shnaider held firm and sealed the set with an ace. Vekic seized the momentum in the second set, quickly breaking twice to level the match. The third set began evenly, with both players breaking serve early. However, Shnaider remained composed and broke Vekic twice in a row to clinch victory. “Very glad I was able to play one of the best weeks of my life… hope I can keep going like this,” Shnaider said after accepting the elephant-shaped trophy. “What a match you played… you really deserved the title,” Vekic, playing in her second WTA final on grass, acknowledged. “I got the small (elephant) this time and next year we will come back for the big one.” Vekic will face Wang Xiyu in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday, while Shnaider, who was eliminated in qualifying last year, will take on Karolina Pliskova. Meanwhile, Daria Kasatkina also claimed a grass-court title, winning the Eastbourne International on Saturday. The sixth-seeded Russian defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 6-4, securing her seventh career title and her first since 2022. This victory comes after three previous defeats in finals this season for the 27-year-old. Kasatkina’s triumph is particularly notable as she had lost in the Eastbourne final last year to Madison Keys, who was defeated by Fernandez in the semi-finals this year. The victories of both Shnaider and Kasatkina set the stage for Wimbledon, where both players will be looking to continue their impressive form.
Shnaider Claims First Grass-Court Title in Bad Homburg, Kasatkina Wins Eastbourne
