Swiatek conquers Collins 6-2, 6-3 to reach Wimbledon round of 16
They last played two months ago on the dirt in Rome. Danielle Collins from the United States prevailed in straights sets. Iga Swiatek, the former world No. 1 from Poland, has not won a title since Roland Garros 2024.
While Swiatek’s pedigree on grass does not compare with her prowess on clay, the twenty-four-year-old reached the final in Bad Hamburg last week, losing in two tight sets to world #3, Jessica Pegula. She dispatched three quality players in straights en route to the final: Victoria Azarenka, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and 2024 Wimbledon finalist, Jasmine Paolini.
During this fortnight in the previous round, she battled for 2 ½ hours to defeat American Caty McNally from a set down. With 17 of the 32 seeds already eliminated, the five-time Grand Slam champion seized the opportunity to progress to the second week.
Collins, who achieved a career-high rank of #7 in 2022, is currently ranked #54. She was attempting to match her best performance to date, and despite just one grass court match before the start of the Championships, Swiatek knew better than to underestimate her opponent. Swiatek is currently ranked 4th and seeded 8th, led the head-to-head 7-2, but this was their first meeting on grass.
Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Collins won the toss and chose to serve. She immediately came under fire as Swiatek forced errors and earned triple break point. The American responded with two outstanding winners, including an ace out wide and a huge serve up the tee to hold.
Swiatek missed 4/6 first serves but held to 30 to level. Collins opened the third with her first double fault, and while she struck two additional winners, she dropped serve with an errant forehand. Swiatek faced a break point following a netted forehand and two deuce points but consolidated the break for 3-1 with two incredible inside-out forehands.
The American donated four unforced errors, including her second double fault and dumped serve. Swiatek opened the sixth with her first double fault and faced double break point, but held to consolidate the break with three consecutive first serves and two unforced errors from Collins.
The former world #7 down 1-5 opened with an overhead smash and closed with an ace up the tee. Swiatek serving with new balls hit two consecutive forehand winners and secured the set 6-2 following two whiffed returns from Collins.
Collins served first in the second and dropped serve following three unforced errors, including her third double fault. Swiatek, with measured aggression and poise, struck her first ace and consolidated the break for 2-0.
The American continued to rush and get in her own way. She missed 5/10 first serves, faced two deuce and double break points, yet managed to hold to get on the board. The former world #1 missed 3/4 first serves but with two consecutive winners, held at love while Collins pummeled two winners and held to 15 for 2-3.
Swiatek made 4/5 first serves, including an ace out wide, and held easily to 15 while Collins hit two formidable winners and held at love. The Pole returned the favor with two winners and a love hold to lead 5-3.
Collins served to stay in the match and, with new balls opened with a mishit backhand, faced double match point, and conceded it when Swiatek crushed a crosscourt forehand from the doubles alley.
It was an outstanding performance from the world #4. With relentless aggression off the ground, pinpoint serving, and exceptional movement, the five-time grand slam champion progressed to the fourth round for the third time in her storied career.
Swiatek has laid down the gauntlet on centre court. Having gone over a year without raising a trophy, she seems determined to conquer not only her doubts and the critics, but the hollowed lawns of Wimbledon. She won 86% of first and 55% of second serve points and saved the three break points she faced while converting 4/10. She struck 15 winners to 10 unforced errors and won 19 more points than her opponent.
Next up, the dangerous Dane and 23rd seed, Clara Tauson. The 22-year-old from Copenhagen has had a stellar season, reaching the title match at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai (l. Andreeva), the semis in Linz (l. Yastremska), and the title in Auckland (d. Osaka) to start the season.
She reached the quarters on the grass in Nottingham and the 4th round in Bad Homburg. Riding that wave of confidence, she dispatched the 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in straights sets to reach the 4th round at Wimbledon for the first time.
Though Swiatek leads the head-to-head 2-0, they have not played since 2022, and this will be their maiden meeting on grass.