Danielle Collins is playing her best tennis year even though she will retire after 2024. After the Miami Open triumph, she reached the final of the Charleston Open by breezing past Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-3, and called her a “warrior” later.
Collins is aiming to add another crown to her name this year by winning the Charleston Open. Even though the win over Sakkari was her 12th successive win, Collins stayed grounded and had nothing but praise for the Greek player. She also said that as Sakkari was throwing a lot at her, she had to play aggressively.
It’s been so fun coming out here and battling. It’s what I do. I just love to battle. I played a warrior today. Maria has had such a successful career. One of our most consistent players. It’s never easy. I had to work for it. Danielle Collins said after the match
Before meeting Collins, Sakkari had defeated Veronika Kudermetova in the previous round. Also, after this win over the Greek, Collins tied the head-to-head record at 2-2.
Daria Kasatkina calls Danielle Collins a fearless player
Russia’s Daria Kasatkina humbled top seed Jessica Pegula in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7-5) to reach the final. After her match, she called Danielle Collins a dangerous player on tour right now. The fourth seed is also predicting an electrifying atmosphere in the final because she will be playing against an American.
She's fearless. When she feels her game, she's one of the most dangerous players on tour, and she definitely feels it right now. Daria Kasatkina said after the match
Collins has now defeated three top 10 players in one week. That win over Sakkari was also the American’s 21st win of the year.
Collins and Kasatkina have locked horns three times on the WTA tour so far. The Russian leads the head-to-head record, winning two of the matches.
They last met at the 2021 San Jose Open. Sakkari clinched the victory against the American when they met on clay at the 2018 Rome Open, their only encounter on the surface.
Kasatkina’s best performance came at the Abu Dhabi Open this year. She reached the final but couldn’t lift her first title of the season as World No.4 Elena Rybakina (the opponent Collins beat at Miami Open final) defeated her in straight sets. Before Charleston Open, Kasatkina lost to Sorana Cîrstea in the third round in Miami.
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