“I have to do my homework,” Danielle Collins gears up to face Elena Rybakina’s ‘fantastic tennis’ at the Miami Open finals

The former World No. 7 registers her fifth consecutive straight-set victory to reach the finals in Miami and keep the hopes of an American win alive at the event.

“I have to do my homework,” Danielle Collins gears up to face Elena Rybakina’s ‘fantastic tennis’ at the Miami Open finals

Danielle Collins and Elena Rybakina (Images via IMAGO)

World No. 53 Danielle Collins continues her dominating run at the 2024 Miami Open as she reaches the finals. Up against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, the American won the match 6-3, 6-2. Coincidentally, it’s her third consecutive match win with the same scoreline.

Barring the first round, she has won all her matches in straight-sets on her way to the final. The finals in Miami will be the first time in her career that she has reached the title decider at a WTA-1000 event. Also, it is her first semi-final win since the Australian Open in 2022 where she finished as the runner-up.

YouTube video

Alexandrova had been in great form coming into this semi-final tie. She had defeated World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the fourth round before beating Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals. Collins however proved too good for her as she wrapped up the match in 75 minutes to advance to the finals.

FS Video

Up next for her is last year’s runner-up and current World No. 4 Elena Rybakina. Despite being served a bagel, she fought off Victoria Azarenka to win the semis clash 6-4, 0-6, 7-6(2). With Rybakina currently tied with Swiatek for most match wins this season, it will surely be an epic fight and Collins is fully ready. 

We’ve had a lot of tough battles. That’s what we play for, right? We wanna have these matches. I think I actually did get a win on her in San Jose a while ago. But fingers crossed. I’ll have to do my homework. She’s been playing fantastic tennis. Another big hitter so I have to be ready.
said Collins, speaking during her on-court interview.

Danielle Collins is winless against Elena Rybakina in their last three meetings

The finals of Miami this year will be the fifth career meeting between Rybakina and Collins. The former Wimbledon champ currently leads the head-to-head 3-1. Collins had drawn the first blood but Rybakina has made a good comeback in their rivalry. She has won all three of their last matches to take the lead.

Danielle Collins
Danielle Collins (Image via IMAGO)

To Collins’ credit, all the wins of Rybakina came in the deciding set. Knowing it is her final year on the Tour, the American won’t back down easily and will surely fight to the very last point. On the other hand, Rybakina has been made to do a lot of work in Miami this week.

Of her five matches so far, four of them have been won in the third set with only a single straight-set win. This is in complete contrast to the results achieved by the American. The good run in Miami has also given a huge ranking boost to the former World No. 7.

She has already made a jump of 25 places to break into the Top-30 with her run to the finals. She can jump another seven places if she can defeat Rybakina and clinch the title. As for Rybakina, the title will not make any difference to her ranking as World No. 3 Coco Gauff has a healthy lead of 1300+ points.

In case you missed it: