Match Report_Wimbledon 2024: Vikic Reverses ‘Chinese-American Dark Horse’ Sun Lulu in Three Sets, Enters Grand Slam Semifinals for the First Time

On July 9th local time, in a women’s singles quarterfinal between unseeded players, Croatian ace Vikic came back from behind to defeat Chinese-American dark horse Sun Lulu 5-7, 6-4, 6-1. This marked Vikic’s third entry into the Grand Slam quarterfinals and her first victory, setting a new personal best at the Grand Slams. In the semifinals, Vikic will await the winner between No. 7 seed Paolini and No. 19 seed Navarro.

Vikic enters Grand Slam semifinals for the first time

Both players started cautiously, engaging in a prolonged battle in the fourth game with as many as nine deuces. Sun Lulu saved three break points to hold serve tenaciously. The two then traded games, reaching a 5-5 tie in the first ten games. In the critical eleventh game, Sun Lulu created two consecutive break points. She capitalized on the second break point, achieving her first break of the match, and then saved a break point in her serve-to-win-the-set game to take the first set 7-5.

In the second set, Vikic finally broke serve in the eighth game, taking a 5-3 lead. However, she delivered five double faults in her serve-to-win-the-set game, allowing Sun Lulu to break back, leveling the score at 4-5. In Sun Lulu’s must-hold service game, Vikic returned stronger, converting on the break point which was also her set point with a drop shot, winning the second set 6-4.

Vikic won twelve straight points at the start of the deciding set, breaking serve twice. Sun Lulu’s physical condition plummeted dramatically, allowing Vikic to build a 5-0 lead. Sun Lulu managed to hold serve in the sixth game, avoiding a bagel. In her serve-to-win-the-match game, Vikic won four straight points with a love game to seal the set 6-1 and clinch the match.