Donna Vekić goes down in final of St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Croatia’s Donna Vekić has been defeated in the final of the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy on Sunday. 

After knocking out Australian Open finalist and world no.2 Petra Kvitova and Vera Zvonareva on her way to the final, Vekić was beaten by world no.8 Kiki Bertens from Holland in the final in straight sets 7-6, 6-4.

The Croatian had a great chance to take the opening set when she broke Bertens in her opening service game and then again at 4-2 to led 5-2. She could not convert, however, and lost her next two service games to send the set into a tiebreaker. 

.@DonnaVekic gets the better of a 20-shot rally on the way to earning a break in the opening game!@Formula_TX #формулатх pic.twitter.com/GChEp1jJFJ

— WTA (@WTA) February 3, 2019

Bertens was riding the wave and took the tiebreaker comfortably 7-2. 

Vekić lost her serve early in the second set but managed to get a break back before Bertens broke at 4-4 to serve for the match. 

“Go out there and fight for every point.”@DonnaVekic immediately responded to positive coaching advice by breaking back in the second set! 👍@Formula_TX #формулатх pic.twitter.com/otlHN67yMz

— WTA (@WTA) February 3, 2019

Both women hit 33 unforced errors, with Bertens hitting 27 winners to Vekic’s 16. The Dutch star was more efficient on serve, claiming eight aces and winning 79% of points behind her first serve.