Miami Open: Danielle Collins keeps US flag flying into last eight

James Richardson
Miami Open
Danielle Collins of the United States celebrates

Danielle Collins has ensured that the home contingent made a strong start to their fourth round efforts in Miami.

Collins is one of four Americans in the fourth round and was the first to take to the court on Monday ahead of big matches for Alison Riske, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff.

Collins booked her place in her second Miami Open quarterfinal with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of No.8 seed Ons Jabeur in only 66 minutes.

“I feel like we come out here and either one of us could win on any given day,” Danielle Collins said afterwards. “She beat me in practice a few days ago, and beat me in Indian Wells. We’ve had some great times on court, so I was just trying to be competitive against my friend.

“I’ve had some of my best results after coming back from injuries or having a little bit of time off at the end of the year. I try to tell myself that when I feel a little off or rusty.”

The Australian Open finalist delivered a formidable serving performance, conceding only 13 points behind her delivery in total.

Collins was only broken once, at the start of the second set – a game in which Jabeur produced three consecutive low-percentage winners to capture.

Her return game was also on song. Three clean return winners gained her the break back immediately, and the consistent depth and pace she found on that shot piled the pressure on Jabeur.

Jabeur could find no answers to the American’s game.

The Tunisian star managed to keep the second set close off the back off a strong first serve, behind which she won 77% of the points. However, she only landed only 54% of those deliveries preventing her from gaining any momentum on serve.

Jabeur’s usual box of magic tricks failed her and she found only one winning dropshot, and a mid-rally through-the-legs hot shot couldn’t stop Collins from taking that point.

With Jabeur serving to stay in the match, Collins amped up her returns, drawing three netted backhands from her opponent as a result.

Collins will face the winner of the Riske/Osaka encounter.

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