Vekic took the first set in dominant fashion before holding her nerve in a tense second set tie-break.
The fifth title of Vekic’s career was a long-awaited triumph for the world number 76, who got her hands on a trophy for the first time since the 2023 Monterrey Open.
The 29-year-old was only able to compete in the grass-court event in west London as a ‘lucky loser’ after Marta Kostyuk pulled out injured on the eve of the tournament.
Struggling with illness, Vekic had lost to Anna Blinkova in Queen’s qualifying but Kostyuk’s exit allowed her to make the most of an unexpected second chance.
The 29-year-old has pedigree on grass after reaching the 2024 Wimbledon semi-finals and winning the Nottingham Open in 2017.
Playing in her first final since the Paris Olympics two years ago, when she lost the gold medal match to Zheng Qinwen, Vekic had to dig deep to subdue British number one Raducanu in a rollercoaster second set.
The Croatian trailed 5-2 and wasted four match-points before finally delivering the knockout blow.
“This is really my favourite time of the year, my favourite surface. I love the grass. I’ve really enjoyed myself this week,” Vekic said.
“Winning 6-0 is sometimes a curse in tennis. Emma rally stepped up and played some amazing tennis. I just tried to stay with her, make her play it out, stay with every single ball.
“Her last service game and the tie-break is a bit of a blur right now, but I’m really happy I managed to win.”
Praising David Felgate — Vekic’s coach for the grass-court campaign this year — the Croatian added: “We have worked together since I have been 12 years old. You raised me, without you I wouldn’t even know what grass is.
“When I called you two weeks ago to ask you to help me you said yes. Thank you so much, without you I wouldn’t be here with this trophy.”
It was another final disappointment for Raducanu in 2026 after she lost to Sorana Cirstea in the Transylvania Open showpiece in February.
Raducanu was hoping to win her first title since her stunning US Open victory as a teenage qualifier in 2021.
The 23-year-old’s bid for the second trophy of her career fell at the final hurdle.
But Raducanu has been revitalised since rehiring Andrew Richardson, who coached her to that historic title in New York five year ago.
The world number 42 had been hampered by fitness issues for several years and arrived at Queen’s with only one win in her previous seven matches after battling a viral illness.
Raducanu will head to Wimbledon, which starts on June 29, with renewed belief.
“It’s been an incredible week for me, making the final here, playing in my home city, in my home tournament,” Raducanu said.
“Today was an really tough match. Donna played extremely well from the start to the finish.” (AFP)