ROME — American Danielle Collins delivered a stunning upset at the Italian Open on Monday, ending world No. 1 Iga Świątek's title defense with a commanding 6-1, 7-5 victory in the third round. The 30-year-old Collins, who announced earlier this year that this would be her final season on tour, played near-flawless tennis to dismantle the three-time Roland Garros champion in just under two hours.
Collins, currently ranked No. 15, dominated from the outset, breaking Świątek’s serve three times in the first set. The Pole, who had won the Madrid Open just a week earlier, struggled to find her rhythm against Collins’ aggressive baseline play and precise shot-making. "I knew I had to bring my best today," Collins said in her post-match interview. "Iga’s an incredible competitor, but I stuck to my game plan and executed well."
A Tactical Masterclass
Collins’ strategy was clear from the first point: attack Świątek’s forehand, keep her on the move, and avoid prolonged rallies. The American’s deep returns and relentless pressure forced Świątek into uncharacteristic errors, particularly on her usually reliable forehand wing. By the end of the match, Świątek had committed 22 unforced errors—a stark contrast to Collins’ disciplined 12.
Key factors in Collins’ victory included:
- First-serve dominance: Collins won 78% of points behind her first serve, compared to Świątek’s 62%.
- Net play: Collins approached the net 14 times, winning 10 of those points.
- Break point efficiency: She converted 5 of 7 break opportunities, while Świątek managed just 1 of 4.
Świątek’s Struggles
For Świątek, the loss marked her earliest exit in Rome since 2020. The four-time Grand Slam champion had been on a 12-match winning streak on clay, but Collins’ relentless aggression left her scrambling. "I didn’t feel like myself today," Świątek admitted. "Danielle played really well, and I couldn’t adjust in time."
The second set saw a brief resurgence from Świątek, who fought back from 1-4 down to level at 5-5. However, Collins held her nerve, breaking again in the 11th game before serving out the match with a blistering forehand winner.
Collins’ Resurgence
This victory continues a remarkable season for Collins, who has now defeated three top-10 players in 2024. After announcing her impending retirement due to health concerns, including rheumatoid arthritis, she has played with renewed freedom. "I’m just trying to enjoy every match," she said. "This is my last year, so I want to leave it all out there."
What’s Next?
Collins advances to face either Victoria Azarenka or Magda Linette in the quarterfinals. With her current form, she has emerged as a dark horse contender for the French Open. Świątek, meanwhile, will regroup ahead of Roland Garros, where she remains the favorite despite this setback.
The Italian Open has now seen both defending champions ousted early, following Novak Djokovic’s third-round exit. For Collins, the win is another milestone in a career-best season—and a reminder of her ability to challenge the very best.
"This is why we play tennis," Collins reflected. "Matches like this, against the best in the world, are what make all the hard work worth it."