Danielle Collins, in her closing yr on the WTA Tour earlier than retirement, booked her first ever 1000 sequence closing in Miami on Thursday with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The 30-year-old Collins, will face fourth-ranked Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s closing. The Kazakhstan participant was pushed all the way in which by veteran Victoria Azarenka earlier than popping out with a 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (7/2) victory.
Collins denied this week that her nice run to the final 4 was a results of her taking part in with freedom after asserting her intention to retire on the finish of this yr.
However as soon as once more the American appeared relaxed and in management as she took full cost of the competition in opposition to Russia’s Alexandrova, who had crushed world primary Iga Swiatek within the fourth spherical earlier than downing fifth-seed Jessica Pegula of the US.
“It is much more particular coming in my residence state,” mentioned Collins, who hails from St. Petersburg close to Tampa.
“I’ve had a few good years right here, however that is positively essentially the most memorable,” she added.
Alexandrova broke early within the first set however Collins swiftly acquired the competition again on serve earlier than breaking once more to go 4-2 up and take the set.
The American then broke on Alexandrova’s first service recreation within the second and ran away with the set to finish a 74 minute victory.
“I’ve adopted all of her matches this event, it was enjoyable watching her as a result of we’ve a really comparable recreation model. It’s difficult when it’s like that,” mentioned Collins.
“That compelled me to pay attention more durable, react sooner and actually compelled me to play up at my highest stage,” she mentioned.
The 24-year-old Rybakina returns to the Miami closing for the second straight yr after shedding to Czech Petra Kvitova in 2023.
Her type — and the absence of any of the highest three on the planet — suggests she would be the robust favourite in opposition to Collins.
Up to now this yr Rybakina has gained titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi and her first WTA 1000 closing of the yr in Doha.
Her serve appeared an excessive amount of for Azarenka within the first set however then pale badly within the second earlier than breaking to go 3-2 up within the third.
– Simply going for it –
However the 34-year-old Azarenka, a three-time winner at Miami, confirmed all her dogged spirit as she broke again to make it 5-5 and maintain alive her hopes of an unlikely run to the ultimate.
However within the tie-break, Rybakina discovered her serve in spectacular style, leaving Azarenka helpless with a fearsome ace to go 3-0 up.
The end result by no means appeared unsure from that time on however 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who withdrew from her Indian Wells title protection this month due to sickness, mentioned she had been in hassle bodily within the second set.
“There was a pause the place I stayed on the court docket and I feel I ought to have possibly left (for) a bit as a result of it was actually humid and difficult circumstances, the vitality simply went down and Vika got here again very aggressively.
“After three video games once I misplaced so simply it was very tough to regroup so I knew there could be a 3rd set and I used to be simply making an attempt to organize for it,” she added.
Rybakina mentioned she was capable of get within the zone for the tie-break.
“I switched off the thoughts a bit for the tie-break and I simply went for it,” she mentioned.
sev/bb
