Donna Vekic ended the fairy tale Wimbledon run of qualifier Lulu Sun to reach her first grand slam semi-final.
SW19 sensation Sun won the first set and looked on course to become only the second woman to come through qualifying and reach the last four.
But Vekic, the 28-year-old from Croatia, took a tight second set and then ran away with the third for a 5-7 6-4 6-1 victory.
Dazzling Donna ✨@DonnaVekic comes from a set down to defeat Sun 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 to reach her first semi-final at #Wimbledon! pic.twitter.com/xFh9hHnj1N
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2024
“It was a really tough match, she played unbelievable, I feel like she really pushed me to my limits,” said an emotional Vekic.
“I felt like I was dying out there in the first two sets but I just kept going, hoping to have a chance and it came in the end.
“I have a full box of people there and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Sun has nonetheless lit up this year’s Championship with her fearless tennis as well as her apt surname, given that is frustratingly what has been missing from this rain-sodden tournament.
British summertime #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/49Qula9fAO
— Andy Sims (@AndyCSims) July 9, 2024
With the roof closed on Court One yet again, the 23-year-old New Zealander found herself under early pressure but saved three break points in a marathon, 10-deuce fourth game.
Having survived that, Sun began to attack the Vekic serve and it told when she broke for 6-5 before a gutsy hold clinched the set.
Sun looked by far the more composed player but Vekic gathered herself in the second set and secured a break in the eighth game.
But the nerves were still showing, and three double faults at deuce gave Sun three break points.
![Lulu Sun holds out her hands in frustration](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/ea577f575edf531b322ea0aa68496eb6Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzIwNjIxNzc3/2.76798270.jpg?w=640)
Vekic saved the first two but then dunked an ill-advised drop shot into the net to gift Sun the game.
However, when a set point arrived in the next game on the Sun serve the drop shot worked a treat and the match was level.
Sun was playing her eighth match of the fortnight, and it showed at the start of the third set as Vekic won 12 straight points.
In the blink of an eye it was 5-0 and, despite gamely getting on the board, Sun finally went down at Wimbledon in two hours and eight minutes.
Sun is the first woman from New Zealand to reach the quarter-finals and her run, including the fourth-round with over Raducanu, has gripped the nation with her matches broadcast live after midnight in her homeland.
From qualifier to quarter-finalist, a #Wimbledon run to remember 👏
You have so much to be proud of, Lulu! 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/nluC6wqDkM
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2024
Reflecting on her Wimbledon experience, she said: “I mean, even on the first day against Zheng Qinwen, I thought the court was huge and the people were loud.
“I was just, like, super happy to be able to get that experience and play against such a big player, such a great player.
“But then I played on Centre, against Emma. I don’t think I could forget that. Definitely not. So I’ve had really great matches here at Wimbledon.
“I think just energy from New Zealand fans and other fans, as well, is such a surreal moment for me that I definitely won’t forget.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here