Collins ends Swiatek’s Rome title defense with landmark clay victory

Danielle Collins recorded her first ever victory over Iga Swiatek on clay, ending the Pole’s title defense at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia with a 6-1 7-5 win in the third round.

Swiatek, a three-time Italian Open champion in the last four years, arrived in Rome still searching for top form. Since lifting her fourth Roland Garros title a year ago, the 23-year-old has not claimed another trophy.

The 29th-seeded Collins capitalized on Swiatek’s unusually poor serving performance to dominate the opening set with four breaks. The second set began with an exchange of breaks—Swiatek struck first, but Collins immediately responded. Both players then held serve until the decisive 12th game, when Collins broke Swiatek once more. On her third match point, she clinched victory and secured her place in the round of 16.

This win is particularly significant for Collins, as it’s her first on clay against Swiatek, who is widely regarded as the best clay-court player in the game today. It was also just the American’s second win in nine career meetings against the five-time Grand Slam champion.