Vekic emerges champ

Croatian teen outclasses Koch-Benvenuto in final

Teenager Donna Vekic might have been the youngest player to take the KSLTA courts here, but the Croatian showed she is the real deal as she cantered home to wear the crown in the QNet $25000 ITF women’s tennis tournament on Saturday.

The 15-year-old, who represented Croatia in the Fed Cup at the start of the year, outplayed fourth seed Andrea Koch-Benvenuto of Chile 6-2, 6-4 in a final lasting one hour and 10 minutes. “I feel so happy. It wasn’t easy for me. I played good tennis,” said an elated Vekic.

Ranked 392, Vekic, who ended the dream run of home hope Kyra Shroff 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) in Friday’s semifinal, received $2,940 in prize money and earned 50 points while Andrea was richer by $1,666 and 34 points.

Vekic looked in great touch right from the start as she served well while her returns were praiseworthy.

“She played really well and I am happy for her. It was a good week for me,” complimented Andrea, who is 11 years older than Vekic.

Watched by father Igor, Vekic served out the first game to love while her opponent too managed to hold serve till the fourth game. Vekic gained three break points in the sixth game, her rival twice dumping backhands into the net followed by a forehand return from the teenager which hit the top of the net and fell on the right side of the court. Vekic, coached by David Felgate and based in London, took the lead with a deep return that Andrea could only drive into the net.

Trailing 2-4 and 15-all, Andrea had a long argument with the chair umpire, who overruled an ‘out’ call from the line umpire to award the point to Vekic (30-15). The Croatian then served well to close in on the set.

Vekic again broke Andrea in the eighth game but only after a tough battle with the game going to deuce five times. Vekic took the advantage when her rival hit a forehand long and then claimed the set when an Andrea backhand found the net.

In the second set, both players held their serves till 4-4. Vekic held her serve in the ninth game before gaining three match points in the next game. Vekic raised her arms in celebration when her opponent floated a forehand long.

Results (prefix denotes seeding):  Final: Donna Vekic (Cro) bt 4-Andrea Koch-Benvenuto (Chi) 6-2, 6-4. On Friday, semis: Koch-Benvenuto bt 2-Akiko Omae (Jpn) 6-3, 6-4; Vekic bt Kyra Shroff (Ind) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4). Doubles (final): Tamaryn Hendler/ Melanie Klaffner (Bel/Aut) bt Tadeja Majeric/ Anja Prislan (Slo) 6-1, 4-6, 10-6.