Vekic shocks Konta to win Nottingham Open

DONNA Vekic ruined Johanna Konta’s bid to win her first title on home soil as the Croatian beat the British No 1 in the Nottingham Open final yesterday.

Konta took the first set, but the world No 8 could not seal the silverware in the second set tie-break and eventually slumped to a 2-6 7-6 (7/3) 7-5 loss.

The 26-year-old’s failure to land her first grasscourt title is a setback ahead of Wimbledon, which gets underway next month.

Sydney-born Konta has never been past the second round at Wimbledon, with her best grand slam performance a run to the semifinals of last year’s Australian Open.

“All credit to Donna, she was continuously able to raise her level all throughout that match,” Konta said.