TOKYO, Japan – Donna Vekic sprung an upset at the Toray Pan Pacific Open as she defeated No.5 seed Sloane Stephens, 6-4, 6-4 .

Vekic had already beaten the American at Wimbledon earlier this year but became just the second player on the WTA Tour to defeat her twice, joining WTA World No.1 Simona Halep in a most exclusive club thanks to a formidable display in Japan.

The opening set was characterised by quick momentum shifts, yet Vekic looked the player in command and took her opportunity at the crucial moment. The second was equally as unpredictable, with both players fighting to hold serve, yet it was the 22-year-old who came through in the end.

"I felt good. I beat her last time we played, so I knew my game plan and I tried to stick to it," she said after taking her third Top 10 scalp of the year.

"I'm playing really well this year. I'm improving a lot. Even when I lose, I keep working hard and doing the right things, and I feel like it's showing on the court."

That certainly appeared the case against the WTA World No.9.

There were numerous terrific sequences throughout this match from both players, yet Vekic was the one with marginally more control from the beginning. She fashioned three break points in each of Stephens’ opening two service games, and while the 2017 US Open champion was able to fend the first five of these off, at the sixth time of asking she faltered.

Leading 3-2, Vekic through in a loose game that invited Stephens to draw level in what developed into a fascinating set of tennis. 

A stunning angled forehand off Stephens’ second serve at 4-4, deuce proved to be the decisive factor in the opener and typified the aggression that Vekic played with. However, she had to fend off three break points on her serve before she could finally see the set out.


Initially, it seemed the second set was poised to go the same way as the first. A super backhand down the line helped Vekic win the opening point, but three sloppy rallies from Stephens in the aftermath were what really gave her the break at the first opportunity.

But whereas she looked largely in control of the opening set, this would not be so evident in the second. Her service was attacked by her 25-year-old opponent and the momentum shifted almost on a game-by-game basis. 

Twice Stephens broke thanks in part to double faults from her opponent, yet the ferocity with which Vekic attacked the American’s second serve put her under constant pressure and drew errors from the higher ranked player as she had a tendency to become overambitious with her shot making.

Amid a flurry of breaks, it was a hold from Vekic midway through the set that changed the flow as finally her advantage was consolidated. 

Stephens was unable to peg her back, and a thumping ace onto the line finished the match. 

After victory in one hour 27 minutes, she can look forward to a meeting with Johanna Konta.