Vekic continues giant-killing run in San Diego; upsets Sabalenka after wins over Sakkari and Pliskova

After three consecutive top 25 wins, Donna Vekic is aiming to reach her first WTA 500 final since St. Petersburg in 2019

Donna Vekic at the 2022 Tallinn Open Image Credit: Imago / Panoramic

Tennis Majors

October 14, 2022

Former world No 19 Donna Vekic continued her giant-killing spree through the WTA San Diego Open draw with a three-set win over third seed Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Vekic, who came through the qualifying draw, had already defeated fifth seed Maria Sakkari (7-6 (3), 6-1) and former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova (6-3, 6-2) in her first two rounds in the main draw.

On Friday, she scored her biggest win of the week, beating third seeded Sabalenka 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 to reach the semi-finals in San Diego.

Vekic to meet Collins for a place in the final

Vekic, now ranked No 77 after undergoing a knee surgery at the start of the 2021 season, will face American Danielle Collins, who upset second seed Paula Badosa, of Spain, in straight sets in the final match of the evening session. The Croatian is aiming to reach her first WTA 500 final since 2019 St. Petersburg

Collins leads Vekic 1-0 in career head-to-head, winning their round of 32 clash in Miami in three sets.