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No 20 seed Donna Vekic revealed she suffered a panic attack on the court before creating a stunning comeback win over Sloane Stephens at Wimbledon. On Thursday, Vekic recovered from a set and a break down to beat Stephens 4-6 7-5 6-4 in the Wimbledon second round.
After winning the first set, 2017 US Open champion Stephens also had a 5-2 lead in the second set and appeared to be on the verge of claiming a straight-set win. But then, Vekic stormed back to clinch an epic three-set win on Court 1 - the second biggest court at Wimbledon.
"I have no idea, I honestly can't believe I won. I've always told my team that Sloane is one of the best in the world, and she definitely showed that today," Vekic said.
Vekic: I suffered a panic attack at the start of the second set
"I was in trouble.
At the start of the second set, I was having a bit of a panic attack. Not every day you play on Court 1. Wimbledon is really special for me. I told myself to try to enjoy it somehow. The fighter in me came out," Vekic added. Down by a set and 2-5 in the second set, Vekic responded by earning back-to-back breaks - winning the next five games and overturning the deficit to send the match into a decider.
After stealing the second set from Stephens, Vekic also broke the American in the third game of the third set. That break of serve was enough for Vekic, who held on to her service for the remainder of the set to seal a comeback win.
Now, Vekic is set to play against Marketa Vondrousova in the Wimbledon third round. Today, Vekic and Vondrousova will be meeting for the second time in their respective careers. In 2018, Vekic defeated Vondrousova in Hobart. Vekic, 27, is bidding to reach the Wimbledon round-of-16 for just the second time in her career. It remains to be seen if Vekic can beat Vondrousova and continue her run at The All England Club.