Danielle Collins’ stunning 2024 just continues to go from strength to strength, but she will face the ultimate test later today when she takes on Aryna Sabalenka.
The Belarusian is in her own bout of inspired form at the moment, and has made clear her intentions to win the Rome Open on a number of occasions.
It is a tournament triumph she craves, but that desperation could lead to some uncharacteristic mistakes for the USA star to capitalise on.
The two have already shared the court five times across their respective careers, with this due to be the sixth.
However, in a Masters 1000 semi-final, there has arguably not been one of greater importance to both athletes.
Danielle Collins previews her Rome Open semi-final
Speaking on the court immediately after her comprehensive victory over Victoria Azarenka, Collins was unsurprisingly upbeat.
The 30-year-old has really captured the imagination of tennis fans across the last few months, with her sparkling tennis really shooting her to stardom as one of the most in-form women on the WTA.
And now, she will have the perfect chance to prove her quality with a clash against Sabalenka, who did win their last match-up just last month in Madrid.
When asked what her strategy might be, Collins told Tennis Channel: ‘I can’t give too many secrets away but I’ll need to take a look at the previous match that we played. We’ve always had good matches, it’s always a few points here and there especially when it comes down to these tight third-setters.
‘She’s been playing really well, obviously one of the best players in the world. Number two in the world so I’m going to have to really bring the heat.’
Danielle Collins has a worrying record vs Aryna Sabalenka
As aforementioned, Collins has played the 26-year-old five times since 2018.
However, when delving deeper into the figures, they do not make for good reading despite the former’s recent good form.
After all, she has lost all of those matches, and won just her third set off her last month as she was dumped out of the Madrid Open by Sabalenka.
This denotes another worrying trend, given it also marked the first time she had earned victory over her on clay too.
All signs point towards a battling victory for the world number two, but with Collins playing like a US tennis legend in the eyes of Andy Roddick, it would be hard to completely discount her at the moment.
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