Collins Stuns Swiatek in Italian Open Upset
May 10, 2025, 10:40 AM ET
In a surprising turn of events at the Italian Open, defending champion Iga Swiatek was ousted by American Danielle Collins. The Polish world No. 2 was defeated 6-1, 7-5 in the round of 32 on Saturday, marking a significant upset in the tournament.
Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, found herself in unfamiliar territory as she went down 5-0 in the opening set. It was a tough start for the Polish star, who managed to get on the board just in time to avoid a bagel. The first set was dominated by Collins, who seemed to be in complete control from the get-go.
The second set, however, was a different story. It was a much closer contest, with both players battling it out to reach a 4-4 tie. But it was Collins, the 2022 Australian Open runner-up, who eventually pulled away, securing the win in 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Heading into the match, Swiatek held a commanding 7-1 head-to-head record against Collins. Despite this, she has not won a tournament in almost a year, a fact that might have played into the dynamics of the match.
After the match, Collins shared her thoughts on the victory, saying, “I played Iga so many times. The winning favor is in her favor. When you play that many close matches and play some of your best tennis but lose, you learn a lot. I feel like I applied that today.”
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Swiatek’s early struggles in the first set set the tone for the match.
- Collins’ ability to maintain composure in the second set was crucial to her victory.
- Swiatek’s lack of recent tournament wins may have impacted her performance.
This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis, where even the most dominant players can face unexpected challenges. For Swiatek, this loss will likely be a moment of reflection as she looks to regain her form and return to winning ways. Meanwhile, Collins’ victory is a testament to her perseverance and ability to learn from past encounters.
As the Italian Open continues, all eyes will be on Collins to see if she can carry this momentum forward. For Swiatek, the focus will be on regrouping and preparing for the next challenge. This match has certainly added an exciting twist to the tournament, and fans will be eager to see how the rest of the competition unfolds.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
