Australian Open: Donna Vekic beats Maria Sharapova, Marin Cilic advances 

Donna Vekic (Photo credit: Mario Cuzic/HTS)

MELBOURNE, 21 January 2020 – A good day for the Croatian players involved in action at the 2020 Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.  

Donna Vekic, who is the tournament’s 19th seed, has knocked out former world no. 1 and 5-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova in straight sets. 

Vekic confirmed her status as the favourite against the 145th ranked Russian when she broke twice in the opening set and the Osijek-born player needed just 1 hour and 21 minutes to beat Sharapova 6-3, 6-4.

In the second round, Vekic will meet the winner of the match between world no. 61 Alize Cornet and qualifier Monika Niculescu. 

Marin Cilic (Photo credit: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

Earlier in the day, Marin Cilic made light work of his first round match against France’s Corentin Moutet. World no.39 Cilic beat the Doha finalist in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Cilic will meet another Frenchman in the second round, 21st-seed Benoit Paire. Later on Tuesday, Ivo Karlovic also moved into the second round after a straight sets victory over Vasek Pospisil from Canada 7-6, 6-4, 7-5.