Emma Raducanu's spirited rally fell short as she lost the Queen's Club final to Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 on Sunday. The British star, who struggled immensely in the opening set, managed to level the match before Vekic regained control in the decider.
Nightmare Start for Raducanu
The first set was a disaster for Raducanu, who was broken three times and failed to win a single game. Vekic, the sixth seed, played flawless tennis, committing just two unforced errors and winning 92% of her first-serve points. Raducanu appeared tense and made 12 unforced errors, struggling to find her rhythm on the grass courts.
Fightback Ignites Hope
Raducanu turned the match around in the second set, breaking Vekic early and holding serve with greater confidence. She won 73% of points on her first serve and began to dictate rallies with her forehand. The crowd at the Queen's Club roared as she took the set 6-4, forcing a decider.
Deciding Set Drama
The final set was tightly contested until the sixth game, when Vekic broke Raducanu's serve with a series of precise groundstrokes. Raducanu had a chance to break back in the next game but missed a crucial backhand. Vekic then served out the match, sealing victory with an ace.
Despite the loss, Raducanu's fighting spirit drew praise from commentators. The 22-year-old, who won the US Open in 2021, has shown flashes of her best form this season but has struggled with consistency.
Vekic's Triumph
For Vekic, the Queen's title is her fourth WTA singles crown and her first on grass. The 28-year-old Croatian moved well and used her slice effectively to disrupt Raducanu's rhythm. 'I'm so happy to win here,' Vekic said. 'Emma played great in the second set, but I stayed focused and believed in my game.'
Both players now head to Wimbledon, where Raducanu will look to build on this performance. The tournament begins on July 3.
