“That one hurt a lot,” Donna Vekic really brought her revenge game to Dubai as she crashed Aryna Sabalenka out of the tournament

Donna Vekic defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis championship.

“That one hurt a lot,” Donna Vekic really brought her revenge game to Dubai as she crashed Aryna Sabalenka out of the tournament

Aryna Sabalenka and Donna Vekic (via Imago)

Donna Vekic admits that she had to do her best to beat Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship. The Croatian was one set down, but she rallied to win 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-0 in the second round.

Vekic and Sabalenka contest goes back more than eight years on Tour. Vekic had defeated the Belarusian five times in a stretch, but Sabalenka ended the streak last en route to her Australian Open title.

YouTube video

Donna told the on-court interviewer after winning today that the defeat in Melbourne last year hurt her so much that she had to be at her best today. Also, this is Donna’s first win over a Top-2 since 2019.

It’s a pretty big win. She’s had an amazing start to the year. She’s a great player. It was a tough match today. Happy to win.
Donna said.

The tennis professional was then asked how much belief she had in going against Sabalenka, knowing she had defeated her five times before.

I did 5 times but she won the most important one last year in the quarterfinals [Australian Open]. That one hurt a lot. I knew I had to bring my best tennis to beat her. Glad it worked out today.
The Croatian replied

Aryna Sabalenka, who had just taken a long break after the Australian Open, would like to put the loss behind her as she prepares for the Indian Wells Tournament. Meanwhile, Donna Vekic, who has won four WTA singles, would hope to add to the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis championship crown.

Aryna Sabalenka suffers her first loss since the 2024 Australian Open triumph

Aryna Sabalenka blew a set and 2-0 lead to suffer her first loss since her Australian Open victory. The Belarusian made it easy for Donna Vekic to rally to win 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-0 in the second round.

Donna Vekic
Donna Vekic (via Tennis Majors)
I won the first set. I was up with a break. I didn't feel like I was up. The level of play was so bad today for me. I feel like the conditions here don't fit me well at all.
Sabalenka said after the loss.

Sabalenka, who came from the Australian Open without losing a set, shockingly threw a 5-3 lead in the first set before edging out in a tiebreaker. Meanwhile, Vekic stayed aggressive and kept improving in her accuracy as she mercilessly routed Sabalenka 6-3, 6-0 in the remaining set. She will play Romanian Sorona Cirstea in the Round of 16.

In case you miss it?