Danielle Collins is a win away from claiming the biggest title of her career at the Miami Open following a fairytale run.
The world No.53 continued her unexpected journey at the WTA 1000 event with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2, win over Ekaterina Alexandrova who is currently ranked 37 places higher than her. Collins has become only the third unseeded player to reach the women’s final in Miami after Kim Clijsters and Naomi Osaka. In her latest match, she broke Alexandrova four times and won 79% of her first service points.
Collins’ triumph is even sweeter for her as the tournament is being held in her home state. Furthermore, this year will be the last time she will play at the event as she will retire from the sport at the end of this season.
“To have made my first final of a 1000 level (tournament) in my home state during my last season is just great.” She said.
“The memories made this week on and off the court, I’m just over the moon.
“I’m playing great tennis. Having some good battles out there against really great players. That should give me a lot of confidence for Saturday (the final).”
Four out of Collins’ six wins in Miami have been over seeded players with Alexandrova being the highest-ranked player she has played so far. She has also beaten Caroline Garcia, Sorana Cirstea and Anastasia Potapova. The only time she has dropped a set was in the first round against Bernarda Pera.
“This feels like a really big accomplishment,” Collins commented.
“I think all of us want to make finals of 1000-level tournaments. These are our biggest tournaments of the year, aside from the Grand Slams. This is just so special. I can’t stress enough about being in my home state and having my dog here, friends, and family. It’s really special.”
Despite her surge in success, the American has a way to cope with everything that is happening. Ironically this involves playing a completely different sport on her days off.
Collins normally goes surfing when in Australia or California but in Miami it is golf that is filling the void in for her. She has played the sport since her youth when she used to play tennis in the morning and then golf in the afternoon when at camp. As a youngster, she wasn’t overly keen about the sport but has now taken a shine to it.
“I feel like for me I’m someone that needs a lot of mental stimulation. By learning new things, I feel like it keeps my brain sharp, keeps me thinking about different things and keeps me from focusing on tennis too much.” She explained.
“I think there is just something good for us about challenging ourselves to learn a new skill or a new hobby. Now I’m starting to enjoy it a little bit. I have had friends here the last couple of weeks, and so we have played a little golf. It’s just now becoming, like, a thing.”
Collins will take on Elena Rybakina in the final on Saturday. If she wins, she will become the first unseeded champion since 2005 and the first American to win in Miami since 2018.
