Jakarta (MidLand) – Less than 72 hours after winning the biggest title of her career, American tennis player Danielle Collins continued her winning streak in the first round of the Charleston Open, Tuesday local time or Wednesday WIB.
The Miami Open champion beat Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-4 and will face second seed Ons Jabeur in the second round.
“It’s not easy,” Collins said of the transition to clay, the WTA reported Wednesday.
“I made the five-hour drive back to my hometown on Sunday, sleeping in my own bed. Fly here on Monday.”
“Just to step on the clay. I won’t miss this tournament, my last season,” the 30-year-old said.
Collins has announced that he will retire from tennis at the end of this season.
Read also: Collins wins Miami Open after beating Rybakina
Meanwhile, the match was another disappointment for Badosa, who now recorded a 5–7 defeat. He missed the last six months of 2023 due to a stress fracture of the spine and also suffered injuries to his calf and adductors.
Collins had six chances break against Badosa – and converted five.
Both have a history in Charleston. Collins entered the tournament this year ranked 22nd after beating Miami. Meanwhile, two years ago he was world number 2 after entering the quarterfinals.
Collins was sharper from the start of the match, winning the first four games and finally the first set in less than 29 minutes.
When Badosa served at 0-3, Collins served and hit a shot reverse the hard one in front.
Gradually Badosa found his rhythm and returned to the second set. He has breaking point tying the match at 4-4, but Collins hits big shots and serves and eventually escapes after a shot reverse which is smooth.
There was a strange moment when a line judge fainted while Badosa was serving at 3-5. Medical personnel were called and the linesman was taken away on a stretcher, amid loud applause.
After a long delay, the match resumed. Collins ended the match with a serve that could not be returned.
“Everything that’s happened, my heart is broken,” Collins said of the medical delays.
“I almost cried. I had to reset myself. I think he’ll be fine, that’s the main thing.”
This was Collins’ third appearance in Charleston. He reached the quarterfinals in 2019 and, although clay hasn’t historically been his best court surface, that doesn’t appear to be an issue this time.
“I know everyone has a different way to end their professional career, and for me, I want to play my best game,” Collins said.
“It’s amazing the encouragement I get and how many people want to keep watching me play. But I think yes, it’s time for me to stop.”
Read also: Collins plays dominantly to prepare for Miami final against Rybakina
Reporter: Arindra Mediadia
Publisher: Hernawan Wahyudono
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