US Open: Donna Vekic into the quarterfinal after three-set victory

Donna Vekić (Photo credit: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

NEW YORK, 2 September 2019 – Croatia’s last hope in the women’s singles draw at the US Open has advanced through to the quarterfinals on Monday. 

23rd-seed Donna Vekic came from one set down to beat Germany’s Julia Goerges in three sets, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3, in just under two hours and 45 minutes on Louis Armstrong stadium this afternoon.

The 23-year-old Croatian has now achieved her best result at a Grand Slam. 

It was not a good start for the Croatian as she would be broken in the first game of the match. A forehand error from Goerges on break-point in the 7th game helped Vekic level the set up. 

Both players would hold serve and the set would go into a tie-break. Vekic was first to break in the tie-breaker to go 3-2 up when Goerges made an unforced error. Vekic then double-faulted to give up her advantage immediately before Goerges broke again with a forehand winner. The 26th seed would eventually take the tie-breaker in the end 7-5. 

The second set started exactly like the first set started with Goerges breaking the serve of Vekic to go 1-0 up. She confirmed the break to lead 2-0 and it was all in front of the Croatian.

Vekic fought hard to get back into the game and finally broke when Goerges was serving for the match at 5-4 to level at 5-5. Vekic then held serve to go 6-5 up and would break Goerges again to win the set and force a decider.  

The final set was another close battle with both players managing to hold serve until Vekic finally broke her opponent in the 8th game to lead 5-3. She would hold her nerve, saving a break point, to serve out and take the set and match. 

Vekic will meet Belinda Bencic from Switzerland in the quarterfinal. Bencic beat No.1 seed Naomi Osaka in the 4th round today.