Iga Swiatek waited out the storm from the racquet of Danielle Collins, finally putting away a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Danielle Collins to squeeze into the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday,
With midday rain interrupting play on outside courts, the moveable roof of the Laver arena proved useful for the top seed to save her chances of continuing at a major she has never won.
Swiatek went up a set and a break over the 2022 Melbourne finalist from the US, but found herself trailing 4-1 in the deciding set.
“I don’t know how I won,” the surprised winner said. “I was already on the plane home.
“But I fought to the end, she was playing perfectly but it’s hard for anyone to keep up that level.
“I was ready when the mistakes started to come. I pushed and I’m proud of myself – it wasn’t easy.”
Swiatek said that Collins lifted the speed of her game in the closing stages.
“I felt I had momentum but then she started to play faster. I had no idea how to react for a couple of games.
“But I just focused on myself and stopped caring about how she was playing.” kissed the corner of her opponent’s court.
Collins, who turned 30 a month ago, revealed that she will not be playing past this season.
“I feel like I’ve had a pretty good career. There has certainly been ups and downs to it,” she said.
“I have other things that I’d like to accomplish in my life outside of tennis, and would like to have the time to do that.
“Obviously having kids is a big priority for me; I don’t really know exactly when, but this will be my last season and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Outsider Clara Burel stunned fifth seed Jessica Pegula, handing the American a 6-4, 6-2 exit while the French winner earned her first Top 10 victory..
Pegula had to pull out last Friday from her semi-final at the Adelaide International due to illness.
Katie Boulter took a loss as the Brit went down to China’s Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-3 in 96 minutes.
2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens advanced past Daria Kasatkina 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
