Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Italian Open to American Danielle Collins after a 6-1 7-5 third-round loss Saturday in a significant upset that may value the Pole the world No. 2 rating because the protection of her French Open title looms.
Swiatek held a commanding 7-1 head-to-head report in opposition to Collins earlier than the competition, and yet one more early defeat doesn’t bode effectively for the 23-year-old, who has not gained a match since her fourth triumph at Roland Garros final 12 months.
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“I performed in opposition to Iga so many occasions. … Whenever you play that many shut matches and get this shut and in addition play a few of your greatest tennis and lose, I feel you study quite a bit,” Collins mentioned. “I really feel like I utilized that at present, to the match.”
5-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek went 5-0 down within the opening set earlier than getting on the board to keep away from a bagel.
Collins was deadly from the baseline, mixing it up with forehand and backhand service return winners as she picked aside Swiatek’s serve in a gap set that was one-way visitors.
The second set was degree at 4-4 as Swiatek confirmed flashes of brilliance, however 31-year-old 2022 Australian Open runner-up Collins confirmed no mercy, sealing victory in a single hour and 44 minutes when a return went large.
Collins fired 32 winners and transformed six of eight break factors whereas Swiatek, who had gained the match thrice within the final 4 years, made 22 unforced errors.
Swiatek has misplaced 9 matches this 12 months — as many as in all of 2024 — and has not reached a clay-court remaining forward of her bid later this month to retain the French Open title.
“It hasn’t been simple,” she instructed reporters. “For certain, I am doing one thing flawed. So I would like to only regroup and alter some stuff. I had some recommendation from the staff, I will simply strive to do that.
“I feel I simply wasn’t there, current, to combat and to compete [against Collins]. I centered on errors. It is my mistake, and I am not doing issues proper. So the main focus is on the flawed issues from my facet, and I will attempt to change that.
“I am not in a position to play my sport. I will simply attempt to change my mindset a bit bit.”
