Melbourne, Jan 19:
World No. 1 Iga Swiatekadvanced to the third round after surviving a major scare from former finalist Danielle Collins in a three-set thriller on Thursday at the Australian Open.
Under the closed roof at Rod Laver Arena, Swiatek snatched a remarkable 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory in three hours and 14 minutes.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek was on the brink of a shock exit after being broken twice and falling behind 1-4 in the third set. But the resilient Pole dug deep as she capitalised on a nervous Collins, who struggled to close it out.
With momentum on her side, Swiatekc linched her 18th straight victory with a spectacular backhand winner down the line after advancing to the net as she threw her racquet in celebration.
Swiatek, who sported a knee brace on her left leg,remains on course for a maiden triumph at Melbourne Park with her best previous finish being in 2022 when she lost in the semifinals toAmerican Collins.
“It’s hard for anybody to keep that levelthat Danielle showed in the second set and at the beginning of thethird. I just wanted to be ready whenever I had a chance to come backand just play a little bit more because there weren’t many rallies, “Swiatek noted at the post-match conference.
“She was reallyaggressive. I wanted to do the same. In the second set for sure sheshowed better quality. I’m happy that I was solid and I just believedtill the end,” she added.
It was a bitter disappointment for62nd-ranked Collins, who has never been able to match her dazzling runfrom two years ago, where she was runner-up to Australian AshleighBarty.
“At this point, I’m kind of at the end of my career andthey don’t sting quite as much, to be honest … I have kind of gottento the point where obviously they matter and, you know, my career means alot to me, but at the end of the day, you either win or lose, andthat’s all there is to it,” said the 30-year-old veteran.
