By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | June 16, 2019
Caroline Garcia edged Donna Vekic in a thrilling final to win the Nature Valley Open trophy in Nottingham.
Photo Source: TN
Caroline Garcia battled past Donna Vekic in three sets and two hours and 36 minutes on Sunday in Nottingham, capturing the Nature Valley Open crown for her seventh career title and second on grass.
The Frenchwoman, who lost a heartbreaking final just a few weeks ago in Strasbourg, improves to 7-3 lifetime in finals and has won six of her last seven title matches.
Garcia and Vekic took their tennis to the next level in a tense third set that saw neither player face a break point on serve. Eventually it was Garcia who took control of the breaker and the 25-year-old capitalized on her second championship point by striking her 7th ace of the afternoon to seal the title.
It was a difficult week in Nottingham in which rain on five consecutive days delayed matches and forced many to be played indoors without spectators.
Garcia had to complete her semi-final victory over American Jennifer Brady on Sunday before taking the court to face Vekic.
2017 champion Vekic was in tears after the final and had trouble finding the words to express her gratitude for the support she received in Nottingham.
“I’m very very sad to lose to today but I’ll definitely come back next year and hopefully win the trophy again,” she said.