Wimbledon 2024: Lulu Sun’s dream run ended by experienced Donna Vekic

Qualifier Lulu Sun saw her Wimbledon dreams dimmed by the experienced Croatian Donna Vekic as she lost 5-7 6-4 6-1 in the quarter-finals.

Victory meant Vekic reached her maiden Grand Slam semi-final and became only the second woman from her nation to do so at the All England Club as she matched Mirjana Lucic’s 1999 feat, but it was not all smooth sailing for the unseeded 28-year-old.

“It was a really tough match, she played unbelievable, I feel like she really pushed me to my limits,” said an emotional Vekic, who takes on Italian Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals.

“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, 23, who played college tennis at the University of Texas, was making her debut at the grasscourt tournament and is the first player from New Zealand to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals in the Open era after overcoming Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the previous round.

However, on a soggy Tuesday at Wimbledon, she 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.

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’s performances have gripped her home nation with her matches broadcast live after midnight in New Zealand.

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.”

Paolini’s tactical masterclass

Rising star Paolini made it through to the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the first time as she blazed past American Emma Navarro 6-2 6-1 to set up a clash against Vekic on Thursday.

“It’s just unbelievable. It’s amazing to play in this special court,” said the 28-year-old.

“It’s a dream to be here in this position. I was watching finals as a kid in this court so it’s strange to be here, get the win and be in the semi-final at Wimbledon. She’s a tough opponent, I lost to her three times in the last year so it was tough but I think I played a really good match.

“In the semi-final you have to play tough opponents, I hope to enjoy the next match and give my 100 per cent. I’m going to fight for every ball. I’m just so grateful to play here.”

Her victory ensured she eclipsed compatriots Camila Giorgi (2018), Francesca Schiavone (2009), Silvia Farina Elia (2003) and Laura Golarsa (1989), who had all reached the quarter-finals at the grass-court Grand Slam in the Open era.

Before this year Paolini had never won a match on grass, or gone beyond the second round of a major tournament.

But she was a surprise runner-up at the French Open last month and has proved that run was no flash in the pan by standing on the brink of a second final in a matter of weeks.

Navarro has also been flying this fortnight having already accounted for Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, and had beaten Paolini in their previous three meetings.

The New Yorker drew first blood, the breaking serve to lead 2-1 in the opening set.

But Paolini, visibly irritated at herself, hit straight back to embark on a run of six games in a row, wrapping up the opening set and holding at the start of the second.

Navarro stopped the bleeding in the next and then began unleashing her fearsome forehand to bring up a break point.

It was an encouraging game from Navarro, but Paolini wriggled out of it and from that point onwards the 19th seed did not get another sniff.

A statement victory was wrapped up in only 58 minutes and a semi-final against Vekic, the world No 37, awaits.

Paolini leads Croatian Vekic 2-1 in their head-to-head, but this would be their first meeting on grass.

What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?

In the run-up to the final Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the hard-court season.

• Hamburg Open (ATP 500) July 15-21
• Newport Hall of Fame Open (ATP 250) July 15-21
• Swiss Open (ATP 250) July 15-21
• Bastad Open (ATP 250) July 15-21
• Palermo Ladies Open (WTA 250) July 15-21
• Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) July 15-21
• Prague Open (WTA 250) July 15-21
• Iasi Open (WTA 250) July 21-26
• Umag Open (ATP 250) July 21-26

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