CHARLESTON, S.C. — Danielle Collins is loaded with confidence and perception in what she will be able to accomplish in her closing season after following her Miami Open title with the Charleston Open championship on Sunday.
Collins powered previous Eleventh-ranked Daria Kasatkina for a 6-2, 6-1 victory Sunday, her career-best thirteenth straight match win as she grew to become the primary since Serena Williams in 2013 to observe a hard-court victory at Miami with one on the inexperienced clay of Charleston.
And he or she’s open to much more in what’s the 30-year-old’s closing season on tour.
“I’m simply making an attempt to maintain this practice rolling,” Collins mentioned after profitable her fourth WTA title. “Actually be myself on the market and never assume an excessive amount of about what’s subsequent.”
Nobody’s been extra dominant the previous two weeks than the “Danimal,” the nickname she coined when she signed up for Instagram out of school.
She confirmed that once more this week, dropping only one set in six matches — it was a second-set loss to 2023 Charleston winner Ons Jabeur — to elevate a second straight trophy.
She led 3-0 within the opening set, the place she broke Kasatkina’s serve twice as the group cheered the American’s each transfer.
Collins didn’t let up within the second set, taking a 5-0 lead earlier than the Russian held serve.
Collins closed the match with a volley on the internet, pumping her fist as her face broke right into a smile.
Kasatkina, who’s ranked Eleventh, performed with a heavy wrap on her proper thigh. She struggled together with her serve all through, repeatedly placing herself behind.
The best way Collins has performed, it was an unimaginable gap from which to dig out.
“At first, I wished to say I’ll miss you on tour however after this match I’m unsure,” Kasatkina mentioned throughout the trophy ceremony. “To be trustworthy, I’m going to overlook you since you’re such a personality. Your persona is wonderful. Tennis goes to lose loads after you’re finished.”
Collins had handled painful endometriosis, the place tissue within the uterus grows exterior the uterus. It will probably trigger problem getting pregnant if not handled and Collins made a life choice to finish her profession for different objectives like having kids.
Her latest success has not modified her perspective or plans for retirement.
“I’m actually blissful that I can showcase my greatest tennis in these final couple of occasions, as a result of I believe that’s the best way I need to exit,” she mentioned. “I need to exit with my greatest outcomes. I do know everybody has a special means of retiring and ending their profession, however for me I need to attempt to exit taking part in my greatest tennis.”
Collins by no means thought of cancelling plans for Charleston after her success at Miami. She drove dwelling to Tampa, then drove herself to Charleston. She doesn’t have a full-time coach or most of the staffers that some WTA gamers journey with.
“I suppose, I’m only a low-maintenance gal,” she joked.
She did have her boyfriend, Bryan Kipp within the stands, alongside together with her beloved canine, Quincy, who she shouted out to the group after receiving the trophy.
“I higher wrap this up, however he sees me,” Collins mentioned.
Collins, who’s ranked twenty second, has received 26 of her previous 27 units. She’s going to take just a few days off earlier than taking part in in Madrid later this month.
“Hopefully,” mentioned Collins, “when Madrid comes round, I’m again in ‘Danimal’ mode.”
