In a remarkable display of resilience, World no. 1 Iga Swiatek staged a comeback to avoid an early exit from the Australian Open, overcoming a double-break deficit in the deciding set against Danielle Collins.
The four-time Grand Slam champion found herself trailing 4-1 but showcased remarkable composure and fight to secure a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory in the second round.
Swiatek, who humorously commented, “I was in the airport already,” alluding to the intense nature of the competition, faced a challenging path in the tournament. American fifth seed Jessica Pegula suffered an upset, succumbing to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat against France’s Clara Burel, ranked 51st in the world. Burel’s decisive win in just 70 minutes set the stage for a showdown with compatriot Oceane Dodin.
The Polish player’s journey at the Australian Open became even more testing following her first-round triumph over 2020 champion Sofia Kenin. Against Collins, a finalist at Melbourne Park in 2022, Swiatek encountered a formidable opponent known for her powerful backhand.
Despite Collins initially appearing poised to end Swiatek’s campaign, the American faltered under pressure. Losing serve for 4-2 and failing to convert crucial break points, Collins allowed Swiatek to capitalize on the momentum shift.
The Polish player transformed a deficit into a 5-4 advantage, ultimately securing the victory on her third match point and extending her impressive winning streak to 18 matches.
Following the match, Collins made a significant announcement about her career, revealing her intention to retire at the end of the season. She emphasized that defeats don’t sting as much in the final stages of her career, expressing anticipation for the next chapter.
Looking ahead, Swiatek faces a third-round clash with 19-year-old Linda Noskova, who earned her spot with a hard-fought 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory over American McCartney Kessler.
News Source/ Reported By BBC Sports.
