Donna Vekić reaches Australian Open quarterfinals for first time

Croatia’s Donna Vekić has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time.

Vekić has beaten world number 82 Linda Fruhvirtova from the Czech Republic in the 4th round on Monday in Melbourne in three sets 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 to move into the last 8.

If at first you don’t succeed, try again 👍@DonnaVekic is an #AusOpen quarterfinalist on her 11th attempt!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/7iWQky987K

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2023

In the quarterfinals, the Croatian will face fifth seed Arina Sabalenka, who knocked out Bencic in the 4th round 7-5, 6-2. 

In six matches against the Belarusian, Vekić has won five times and only one lost once.

After the match today, Vekić was gifted a signed Croatian football shirt by Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić who was in the crowd with HNS president Marijan Kustić, Ante Kulušić, Stipe Pletikosa and Petar Krpan from the federation.

Croatian Football Federation delegation, including president Kustić and head coach @DalicZlatko, supported @DonnaVekic at @AustralianOpen in Melbourne and presented her with a signed #Croatia shirt, as she reached the quarterfinals – congratulations! 🇭🇷🙌🎾👏#Family #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Gkrd1b4FAq

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) January 23, 2023

Vekić and Sabalenka play on Tuesday and it is Vekić’s second Grand Slam quarterfinal after the US Open in 2019.