The Japan Times - Vekic beats Raducanu in Queen's Club final to end title drought

Vekic took the first set in dominant fashion before holding her nerve in a tense second set tie-break.

The fifth title of Vekic's career was a long-awaited triumph for the world number 76, who got her hands on a trophy for the first time since the 2023 Monterrey Open.

The 29-year-old was only able to compete in the grass-court event in west London as a 'lucky loser' after Marta Kostyuk pulled out injured on the eve of the tournament.

Struggling with illness, Vekic had lost to Anna Blinkova in Queen's qualifying but Kostyuk's exit allowed her to make the most of an unexpected second chance.

The 29-year-old has pedigree on grass after reaching the 2024 Wimbledon semi-finals and winning the Nottingham Open in 2017.

Playing in her first final since the Paris Olympics two years ago, when she lost the gold medal match to Zheng Qinwen, Vekic had to dig deep to subdue British number one Raducanu in a rollercoaster second set.

The Croatian trailed 5-2 and wasted four match-points before finally delivering the knockout blow.

It was another final disappointment for Raducanu in 2026 after she lost to Sorana Cirstea in the Transylvania Open showpiece in February.

Raducanu was hoping to win her first title since her stunning US Open victory as a teenage qualifier in 2021.

The 23-year-old's bid for the second trophy of her career fell at the final hurdle.

But Raducanu has been revitalised since rehiring Andrew Richardson, who coached her to that historic title in New York five year ago.

The world number 42 had been hampered by fitness issues for several years and arrived at Queen's with only one win in her previous seven matches after battling a viral illness.

Raducanu will head to Wimbledon, which starts on June 29, with renewed belief.

Vekic refused to let Raducanu settle in a blistering start. The Croatian broke in the second game of the match to seize control.

Rattling Raducanu with a barrage of searing ground-strokes, Vekic quickly broke again, capitalising on a double-fault from the Briton to take a 4-0 lead.

Vekic showed no mercy, blasting her way through a 29-minute set without dropping a game.

Frustration mounted as Raducanu implored her coach to "say something" after Vekic's powerful serve dictated the first game of the second set.

But Vekic's level suddenly dipped and Raducanu finally got on the scoreboard in the second game.

Raducanu scented an opportunity, pressuring Vekic into dropping her serve for the first time and racing into a 5-2 lead.

However, the Briton squandered two set points as Vekic drew level at 5-5.

Raducanu saved three match points to force a tie-break and staved off another in the breaker.

But Vekic would not be denied and she was finally able to celebrate after Raducanu sent a forehand long.

Y.Ishikawa--JT