Donna Vekić Advances to Brisbane Quarters after Defeating World No. 9

Daniela Rogulj

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Osijek tennis player Donna Vekić has placed in the quarterfinal of the WTA tournament in Brisbane, the Brisbane International! 

Croatia’s Donna Vekić, ranked number 34 in the world, has defeated the ninth best player in the world at the Brisbane International. In two hours and 22 minutes of play, Vekić defeated Dutch tennis star Kiki Bertens 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-5, reports 24 Sata on January 2, 2019. 

In Vekić’s impressive win, she even saved two match points. 

While Vekić won the first set, she lost the second and even let the Dutch player lead 5-4 in the third set and serve for the match. At 40-15, Bertens had two match points, but the Croatian tennis player pulled through and equalized to 5-5. Vekić then took the serve of her rival and played for the victory. Thus, Vekić will play in the quarterfinal of the WTA tournament in Australia!

“It was a great match, we both struggled to the last point. I saved two match points, and I’m happy about that,” Vekić said.

It was the fourth match between the two players and the third win for the Croatian tennis player. Vekić also celebrated in 2016 in San Antonio, and in 2015 in Tashkent, while Bertens was better in Miami in 2016. 

“I felt really clumsy today as if I would fall to my feet every second,” said the 22-year-old, before adding:

“This was a physically demanding match. I’m happy to have this kind of exam at the first tournament of the year to see how much I can push. Obviously, I can play long, play well and win, so I’m really happy about it,” Vekić added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=AiHY2l8e23Y

The Croatian tennis player will fight in the quarterfinal against the winner of the match between the title defender and first-seed, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, and Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page

 

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