Donna Vekić advances to London final as lucky loser, securing significant prize money and ranking boost

Donna Vekić has advanced to her second final of the year, reaching the championship match at the WTA 500 tournament in London. Vekić, the 29-year-old from Osijek, surprisingly entered the main draw as a lucky loser after losing in the final round of qualifying. She secured her spot in the final by defeating Katie Boulter with a score of 6-1, 6-3.

Vekić will now face either Emma Raducanu or Iva Jović in the final. This strong performance at a tournament that serves as preparation for Wimbledon is a significant achievement for the Croatian player. She is aiming for her first title of the season, having previously lost in the final of the tournament in Istanbul to Marija Timofeeva.

Beyond the potential title, Vekić's semifinal victory guarantees her a substantial financial reward. A defeated finalist will earn over 157,000 euros, with the champion receiving approximately 255,000 euros. This prize money adds to her career earnings, which now exceed 9.2 million euros. Furthermore, her WTA ranking is set to improve dramatically. Even with a loss in the final, she will rise from 76th to 44th in the rankings. A victory would propel her even higher, potentially to world No. 38.