LONDON: Croatia’s Donna Vekic resisted a gutsy fightback by Emma Raducanu in front of a partisan crowd to claim the Queen’s Club title with a 6-0, 7-6(8/6) victory on Sunday.

Vekic, who only got into the main draw as a lucky loser after defeat in qualifying, needed five match points to finally end Raducanu’s resistance and win her first title since 2023.

The 29-year-old began the final in devastating fashion, belting ferocious winners all over the court. Raducanu found her footing in the second set as she raced to a 5-2 lead. Vekic rediscovered her spark, though, and hauled herself back onto level terms, saving a set point as Raducanu led 5-4.

Vekic couldn’t seal the win as she missed championship pointed and as the match headed to a tiebreak, both players looked out on their feet.

Raducanu saved another match point but Vekic finally converted at the fifth attempt as Raducanu sent a groundstroke into the tramlines.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026