Australian Open: Sensational Swiatek comes back from the brink against Collins

Iga Swiatek edged out Danielle Collins 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 on Thursday, coming back from 4-1 down in the third set. She’ll play Linda Noskova in the next round.

Virginie Bouyer / Panoramic

Bren Gray

January 18, 2024

Australian Open •Second round • completed

See draw

I. SwiatekvsD. Collins

Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed, edged out American Danielle Collins 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to move into the third round of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

Trailing 4-1 and a double break, world No 1 Swiatek looked down and out on Rod Laver Arena. The Pole saved her best for last, however, winning five straight games to power her way into the third round in sensational fashion.

“Oh my gosh, I don’t even know,” responded Swiatek when asked what she was thinking partway through the final set. “Honestly, I was in the airport already.”

Collins nearly executes the perfect game plan

After an even opening two sets which saw the match level after the best part of two hours, Collins changed up her game plan. The American began playing ultra fast, both with the pace of her shots and speed between points.

“I felt like I had the momentum, then suddenly she started playing two times faster,” Swiatek said after the match. “I didn’t know how to react to that for a few minutes.”

In that time, Collins raced out to a 4-1 lead in the third set, breaking the top seed’s serve twice and taking her to the brink of victory. Swiatek snapped out of it in the nick of time, however, and Collins began to play more timidly.

“I knew that she played perfectly, but it would be hard for anyone to keep up that level,” explained Swiatek. “I wanted to be ready for when the mistakes came.”

“Her game and her career speaks for itself,” Collins prasied. “I think we all know what to expect against Iga. I had to try to counter that as much as I could, I did that well at many moments. You know, other moments it got away from me.”

It's not over until it's over…
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) January 18, 2024

The world No 1 certainly took her opportunity, pouncing when Collins dropped her forehand speed and reeling off five consecutive games to close out the match.

Swiatek, ranked No 1, will face Linda Noskova next.

The 22-year-old previously defeated American Sofia Kenin (7-6 (2), 6-2). In the previous round, Collins — ranked No 62 — scraped past German Angelique Kerber (6-2, 3-6, 6-1).