Donna Vekić Runner-Up at Citi Open in Washington D.C.

Donna Vekic (Citi Open)

Croatia’s Donna Vekić has lost to two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the Citi Open in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C.

7th-seed Vekić was aiming for her first WTA title of the season had four match points in the second set but went down to the experienced Kuznetsova 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. Kuznetsova who was playing in her 41st WTA career final. 

The 22-year-old Croatia broke early in the first set but was broken back by Kuznetsova. Vekić broke again in the 10th game of the set to take it 6-4.

.@DonnaVekic takes the first set over Kuznetsova, 6-4!

She’s one step closer to the @CitiOpen title! pic.twitter.com/u2kPnWGEqU

— WTA (@WTA) August 5, 2018

The second set would go on serve, although the Croatian had two match points at 5-4,  and would have to be decided in a tie-break which Kuznetsova would take 9-7 to force a third set.

.@DonnaVekic moves Kuznetsova all around the court to stay ahead in the second set! #CitiOpen pic.twitter.com/CiTB2XUMLz

— WTA (@WTA) August 5, 2018

In the decider, Kuznetsova broke Vekić twice to race out to a 5-0 lead. Vekić managed one break herself but eventually went down 6-2. Kuznetsova now leads the head to head between the pair 2-1.