Miami Open champion Danielle Collins showcased her incredible form by winning two matches on Thursday at the rain-delayed Charleston Open. Despite facing tough competition from Ons Jabeur and Sloane Stephens, Collins managed to secure victories and advance to the quarterfinals. Her stunning display of skill and determination has propelled her to win 10 consecutive matches and 20 out of her past 21 sets.
The 30-year-old Collins, who has announced that this will be her final season on tour, showed no signs of slowing down as she faced off against defending champion Jabeur and former US Open winner Stephens. Despite spending over three hours on the court for both matches combined, Collins remained unfazed and delivered exceptional performances. She defeated Jabeur 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in a grueling match that lasted 2 hours and 3 minutes. Later in the day, she returned to convincingly beat Stephens 6-2, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Collins, currently ranked 22nd, is set to face Elise Mertens in the next round. Mertens also displayed remarkable resilience by winning two matches on Thursday. Ranked 30th, Mertens defeated Varvara Gracheva in a hard-fought battle that lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes. She then went on to stun the 15th-ranked Elina Svitolina in just over an hour in the evening session.
Top-seeded Jessica Pegula and Victoria Azarenka also secured their spots in the quarterfinals with impressive victories. Pegula displayed strategic serving and aggressive play to defeat Magda Linette 6-2, 6-2. She is set to face Azarenka, who staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Taylor Townsend in a three-set thriller. Veronika Kudermetova and Maria Sakkari also advanced to the next round with dominant performances.
Reflecting on her recent success, Collins highlighted the importance of mental resilience and experience in handling tricky opponents like Jabeur. She acknowledged Jabeur’s diverse shot selection but emphasized her ability to stay mentally prepared and focused during the matches. Collins’ unstoppable momentum from the Miami Open has clearly carried over to the Charleston Open, making her a formidable contender.
Several rising stars and underdogs also made their mark at the Charleston Open. Jaqueline Cristian, competing in Charleston for the first time, defeated her second top-20 player of the week with victories over Madison Keys and Emma Navarro. Despite facing tough challenges, Cristian maintained her composure and focus to secure crucial wins. She is now set to face 11th-ranked Daria Kasatkina in what promises to be an exciting match.
Danielle Collins’ exceptional performance at the Charleston Open demonstrates her unwavering determination and skill on the court. With a strong mindset and fierce competitive spirit, Collins continues to defy expectations and prove herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional tennis. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and surprises from both established players and rising talents alike.
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