By Erik Gudris | Sunday, April 20, 2014

 

17-year-old Donna Vekic didn't let losing a lead in the final set delay her from winning her maiden title in Kuala Lumpur.

Photo Credit: AP

Both top seed Dominika Cibulkova and Donna Vekic of Croatia battled all week to reach the BMW Malaysian Open final in Kuala Lumpur. But in the end, it was the 17-year-old Croatian teenager who walked away with the title.

But not without enduring yet another three set trial this time versus recent Australian Open finalist Cibulkova. Vekic claimed an early 3-2 lead in the opening set before rain halted play.

When it resumed, Cibulkova took over control by breaking Vekic several times including in the eleventh game to take the set 7-5.

The second set again saw Vekic jump out to an early lead only to have Cibulkova move ahead for 5-4. Vekic delivered an ace in the next game to hold for 5-all. Rallied on by the crowd, Vekic broke back and then found several big serves when she needed them to close it out 7-5.

With Cibulkova fading in the final set, Vekic stormed out to a 5-1 lead. Yet Cibulkova would not go away as Vekic soon served for the title at 5-2.

Digging into their baseline rallies, Cibulkova saved four match points against her and then broke Vekic for 5-3. Vekic once again served for it at 5-4 only to feel more pressure from Cibulkova.

A backhand pass winner from Cibulkova allowed her to tie things up at 5-all. Though Cibulkova showed more confidence now, Vekic managed to force a final set tiebreak.

Taking hold of an early mini-break lead, Vekic would keep hold of it even after she missed an easy smash.

Finally, on her fifth match point, Vekic struck a forehand winner Cibulkova couldn't chase down. With that, Vekic could celebrate the 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(4) victory and her first ever top 10 win as well.

Kuala Lumpur is now the first WTA title for Vekic, who reached two previous finals in Tashkent (2012) and Birmingham (2013). Vekic is also the first player under 18 to win a WTA title since Vania King won Bangkok in 2006.