Danielle Collins has reached her first WTA 1000 final at the Miami Open after defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals. The 30-year-old announced earlier in the year that this would be her final season on the WTA Tour. Collins has been in excellent form since reaching the Australian Open final in 2022, not dropping a set since her opening match at the Miami Open. She has been dominant in each match, with no player winning more than three games against her in any set.
Playing in front of a home crowd in Miami, Collins showcased her skills against Alexandrova, drawing 19 errors from her opponent and breaking serve twice to win the opening set. She continued her strong performance in the second set, breaking early and hitting 21 winners on her way to victory. Collins expressed her joy at reaching the final, calling it a “really big accomplishment” and highlighting the significance of playing in her home state with her loved ones present.
Collins will face world No. 4 Elena Rybakina in the final, who defeated Victoria Azarenka in three sets to advance. Collins has beaten Rybakina once in their four previous encounters, and she recognizes the challenge ahead. She stressed the importance of doing her homework and being prepared to face Rybakina’s powerful game. Collins acknowledged that Rybakina has been playing fantastic tennis and is another big hitter, so she will need to bring her best to compete.
The American tennis player is seeking her third WTA title, with previous victories at the Palermo Open and Silicon Valley Classic in 2021. Collins reflected on the tough battles she has had with Rybakina in the past, emphasizing that those are the matches that players strive for. She mentioned her win over Rybakina in San Jose in 2021 and expressed her readiness to face her again in the final. Collins knows it will be a challenging match but is focused on playing at her highest level to try and secure the title.
Collins was full of praise for Alexandrova, noting their similar game styles and the difficulty that presents when facing each other. She explained that she had to concentrate harder and react faster to overcome her opponent in the semi-final. Collins credited Alexandrova’s strong performance throughout the tournament and expressed her appreciation for the exciting matches they played. Despite the challenges, Collins was able to elevate her game and produce an impressive performance to reach the final.
As Collins prepares to face Rybakina in the final, she is determined to do her best and hopes to capture the title at the Miami Open. She emphasized the significance of reaching the final of a 1000-level tournament, considering them to be among the biggest events of the year aside from Grand Slams. Collins is grateful for the support of her family, friends, and her dog, who are all present to witness her memorable run in Miami. She looks forward to the challenge ahead and is focused on giving her all to compete for the title.
