Donna Vekic eclipses Lulu Sun to reach first Wimbledon semi-final

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Donna Vekic stopped Lulu Sun's surprising Wimbledon journey to make it to her first ever semi-final in a major tournament.

Sun, a player from SW19, was playing very well and won the first set. It looked like she had a good chance of being the second woman ever to make it to the semi-finals after starting out in the qualifying rounds.

However, Vekic, the 28-year-old native of Croatia, managed to secure a close second set and then dominated the third set to win with a score of 5-7 6-4 6-1.

"It was a very challenging game, she played amazingly well. I feel like she really tested my abilities," said a teary-eyed Vekic.

I felt like I was struggling in the first two sets, but I didn't give up. I kept pushing myself, hoping for an opportunity, and finally, it came at the end.

I have a strong support system of individuals and I owe my success to them.

The sun has certainly brought some excitement to this year's Championship with her bold tennis skills. Her last name is fitting as it seems to be the missing piece in this wet and dreary tournament.

Once more, the roof was closed on Court One as the 23-year-old from New Zealand faced a difficult start and had to defend against three break points in a long, 10-deuce fourth game.

After enduring that, Sun started to put pressure on Vekic's serve and it paid off when she managed to break for a 6-5 lead. A determined hold secured her the set.

Sun appeared to be the calmer player , but Vekic regained her composure in the second set and managed to break in the eighth game.

However, the nerves were still evident, and three mistakes serving at deuce gave Sun three chances to break.

Vekic successfully defended against the first two points, but made a mistake by attempting a drop shot that ended up hitting the net, helping Sun win the game.

Nevertheless, when a crucial point came up in the following game while the Sun was serving, the drop shot was executed perfectly and the match was tied.

Sun was competing in her eighth match in two weeks, and it was evident in the beginning of the third set when Vekic won 12 consecutive points.

Suddenly, the score was 5-0 and even though Sun managed to score a point, they ultimately lost the Wimbledon match in just over two hours.

Sun is the inaugural female competitor from New Zealand to make it to the quarter-finals. Her impressive performance, highlighted by a thrilling victory over Raducanu in the fourth round, has captivated the country. Despite the late-night broadcast of her matches in her home country, viewers have been tuning in eagerly to witness her success.

Thinking back on her time at Wimbledon, she expressed, "When I stepped onto the court for my match against Zheng Qinwen on the first day, I was struck by the size of the court and the cacophony of noise from the spectators."

I was really excited to have the opportunity to play against a top player like that. It was an amazing experience for me.

"Then I competed on Centre Court against Emma. That experience is unforgettable for me. I've had some fantastic matches here at Wimbledon."

"The moment when I felt the support of the fans from New Zealand and other places was truly incredible, and it's a memory that will always stay with me."