COURMAYEUR, Italy – After a service winner on match point at the 2021 Courmayeur Open, Donna Vekic (CRO) looked over at her box with a big smile.
It had been four years since the former top-20 player had lifted a WTA trophy. Vekic, who did not drop a set all week, had knee surgery earlier this year and dropped out of the top-100 for the first time since 2016.
Against rising star Clara Tauson (DEN), Vekic hit more winners and less unforced errors in a clash of two power games. The veteran jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first set tiebreaker and never looked back, winning 7-6, 6-2.
Vekic moved up 30 spots in the rankings to number 67 with her third WTA title.
Road to the Title
Round of 32: def. Qinwen Zheng, 7-6, 6-2
Round of 16: def. Saisai Zheng, 6-3, 6-4
Quarterfinals: def. Zinyu Wang, 6-4, 6-4
Semifinals: def. [7] Jasmine Paolini, 6-2, 6-0
Finals: def. [5] Clara Tauson, 7-6, 6-2
Donna’s Gear
Racquet: VCORE 100
String: POLYTOUR REV
Bag: Pro Series Racquet Bag
Overgrip: Super Grap