Donna Vekic turned a lucky-loser entry at Queen's Club into the biggest title of her career. The 29-year-old Croatian beat Emma Raducanu 6-0, 7-6 (6) in Sunday's final, marking her fifth WTA singles title and her first at the WTA 500 level.
As a result, Vekic subsequently jumped 44 spots in the latest WTA rankings, from No. 76 to No. 32. She became just the seventh lucky loser in WTA history to win a singles title.
And that run carries her straight into Berlin.
Inside the WTA Rankings Shakeup Ahead of the German Open
Vekic opens the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open on Tuesday against Alexandra Eala, after the 21-year-old Filipino rising star received a wildcard into the draw.
Eala brings form of her own after winning the Birmingham Open for her second career WTA 125 title. And she already owns a win over Vekic — a come-from-behind three-setter at the ASB Classic in January.
Still, grass changes the equation.
Vekic, an Olympic silver medalist and Wimbledon semifinalist, will be tough to beat, as will the rest of the field.
Six of the WTA's Top 10 are competing in the upcoming German Open. The bracket includes world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Elena Rybakina. Play continues through June 21st.
