Vekic Claims Queen’s Club Title with 6-0, 7-6 (6) Victory Over Raducanu
Donna Vekic defeated British No 1 Emma Raducanu 6-0, 7-6 (6) to secure the Queen’s Club title. Despite Raducanu holding a 5-2 lead and two set points in the second set, Vekic’s resilience proved decisive as she clinched the victory.
Raducanu’s Promising Start Undone by Vekic’s Dominance
Emma Raducanu entered the Queen’s Club final with optimism, smiling as she walked through the historic clubhouse and onto the stadium court. Playing some of the best tennis of her career in front of a supportive home crowd, she appeared poised for success.
However, that optimism was challenged by a commanding performance from Croatian player Donna Vekic, a lucky loser who capitalized on the opportunity to deliver her finest grass-court tennis. Vekic secured the biggest title of her career by overcoming Raducanu 6-0, 7-6 (6).
Despite a difficult first set, Raducanu fought back impressively in the second, building a 5-2 lead and earning two set points on her serve at 5-4. Yet, in critical moments, she played cautiously and was unable to extend the match to a deciding set, a result that will likely cause her disappointment.
Raducanu’s performances throughout the week marked significant progress. Prior to this tournament, she had not won a match in three months due to a post-viral illness and a series of injury setbacks that sidelined her for two months. Her current form suggests she is regaining her competitive edge, though consistency remains a goal for her moving forward.
Vekic’s Grass-Court Expertise Shines Through
Facing a lucky loser in a WTA 500 final is unusual, but Vekic, ranked No 76, is a formidable opponent, especially on grass. The 29-year-old reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2024 and earned an Olympic singles silver medal in Paris shortly thereafter. She achieved a career-high ranking of No 17 in January and has four previous titles, including a grass-court victory in Nottingham in 2017.
Vekic’s game is characterized by a powerful serve and aggressive flat groundstrokes, attributes that have consistently challenged Raducanu. While Raducanu had been the aggressor in earlier matches this week, Vekic’s early dominance in the final was evident. She combined a strong serve with precise shotmaking, particularly her two-handed backhand, to build a 5-0 lead in the first set.
Raducanu’s Struggles and Mental Challenges
Raducanu entered the final with concerns about her left thigh, an issue that arose after a slip during her earlier matches on Saturday. However, in this match, her difficulties appeared to be more mental than physical. She lacked pace on her groundstrokes and struggled to handle the speed and power generated by Vekic. Her serve, which had been a strength throughout the week, faltered, and she appeared uncertain when pushed into defensive positions.
Vekic’s relentless pressure led to a swift first set, which she won 6-0 in just 29 minutes, concluding with an excellent backhand passing shot.
At the start of the second set, Vekic extended her winning streak to 7-0 with an effortless service hold. However, Raducanu used the break between sets effectively, improving her first-serve percentage and closing out a service game to the crowd’s enthusiastic applause. She then delivered her best return game of the match, attacking Vekic’s second serve, improving rally depth, and taking the ball early when possible.
Raducanu’s Comeback and Final Set Points
Raducanu’s persistence gave her multiple opportunities to force a third set. She established a 5-2 lead and held two set points at 5-4. On the second set point, she positioned herself for an easy forehand but attempted a deceptive shot to wrong-foot Vekic. Vekic maintained her composure and responded with a precise backhand lob, turning the momentum and winning four consecutive games to lead 6-5.
Facing a 9,000-strong crowd, Raducanu made a final stand in a 90-minute contest. Down 0-6, 5-6, she confronted three match points in quick succession. Demonstrating determination, she hit two forehand winners and landed a solid first serve to save all three. She forced a tense second-set tiebreak, but Vekic regained control at the baseline and held her nerve to secure the title, marking the most significant triumph of her career.
