Vekic, Osorio to meet in Philippine Women’s Open final

MANILA, Philippines — Back in Manila, it's the "adopted Filipina" versus the "Filipina tormentor" for the historic crown as Croatia's Donna Vekic and Colombia's Camila Osorio sealed a finale showdown by making short work of ther semis counterparts.

Vekic, the No. 4 seed and WTA No. 72, ended the stellar run of Russia's Tatiana Prozorova (No. 174) -- who eliminated No. 1 seed Tatjana Maria of Germany (WTA No. 42) in the Round of 16 -- with a 6-2, 6-4 win in only 76 minutes while the fifth seed and WTA No. 84 Osorio dumped Sierra (No. 63) in only 46 minutes of play with a near shutout, 6-0, 6-1. 

"Camila has been playing really well so it's gonna be a tough match. We both have a good chance but I'll just focus my own game so let's see and hope for the best," said Vekic, a huge fan of the ever-supportive Filipino crowd with a wholesome wish of being adopted here even before the Manila stint after losing against Eala twice in Auckland and Melbourne.

Well, the 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist and Wimbledon semifinalist definitely has her wish granted in the works, looming as the crowd darling now against Osorio, who eliminated the country's pride in the quarterfinals the other day, 6-4, 6-4. 

"It's great to have the support of the Filipinos but unfortunately for them, I will not be playing Alex after losing to Camila. Hopefully or not, they'll be cheering for me," smiled the 29-year-old Vekic, looking to cap a perfect campaign without a single set defeat so far entering the finale. 

With or without a home crowd though, Vekic will be in for a tall order against the spitfire young gun Osorio, 24, who is peaking at the right time with back-to-back wipeouts in shorter durations after yielding a lone set against Japan's Mai Hontama (WTA No. 244), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, in the Round of 16.