Rome's Shocking Elimination: Iga Świątek Falls to Danielle Collins
Iga Świątek faces elimination in the third round of competition
In a shocking turn of events, reigning champion and world No.2 Iga Świątek was knocked out of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome on Saturday. American Danielle Collins, ranked 35, handed Świątek a humbling 6-1, 7-5 defeat in the third round.
The tournament in Rome's clay courts has been a fruitful ground for Świątek, with three victories under her belt (2021, 2022, and most recently in 2024). However, her uncharacteristic performance on clay this year made many question her readiness for the upcoming French Open, scheduled for May 25 – June 8.
The Polish player struggled exceptionally in her match against Collins, committing numerous unforced errors and appearing off her game. She managed to win only 23% of her first serves and just 15 points during the first set, which she lost in a swift 34 minutes.
In the second set, Świątek tried to stage a comeback, grabbing an early break of Collins' serve only to lose it immediately. A seesaw battle ensued, with both athletes remaining level until 6-5, where Świątek faltered once more.
This disappointing defeating marks Świątek's worst performance of the year and since her debut in the Rome tournament in 2020, where she was eliminated in the first round. Her rankings will drop from 2nd to 4th following this loss.
The week prior, Świątek faced elimination at the hands of American Coco Gauff in the Madrid semifinals, a match that left her looking nervous and on the brink of tears. Subsequently, she brushed off the defeat, referring to it as "just a bad day": "Don't read too much into it," she had claimed. However, her performance in her opening match against Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto, whom she defeated 6-1, 6-0, offered a glimmer of hope.
Yet, Collins, who had previously lost to Świątek in all seven of their previous encounters, put an end to her optimism.
Indicators for Concern:- Iga Świątek's defeat to Danielle Collins marks her worst performance of the year and since her debut in the Rome tournament in 2020.- Her loss in the Madrid Open semifinals to Coco Gauff, which left her looking nervous, could suggest a drop in form compared to her previous seasons on clay.- The French Open, the next major clay court event, offers her a chance for redemption, but her performance in Rome has raised concerns about her readiness.
Insights for Optimism:- Świątek has a strong history on clay, having won three times in Rome and previously dominating clay court tournaments.- Her recent victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the first round of the Italian Open suggested that she remains a force to be reckoned with on clay.- Świątek's ability to quickly rebound after setbacks indicates that she may be able to regain her top form and perform strongly in the French Open.
The Polish tennis champion, Iga Świątek, suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Danielle Collins in the Rome tournament, marking her worst performance since her debut in 2020. This loss, following her elimination by Coco Gauff in the Madrid semifinals, has raised concerns about her readiness for the upcoming French Open. However, considering her past victories on clay courts, particularly the three times she won in Rome, there's still a glimmer of hope for her upcoming performance at the French Open. Her ability to quickly rebound from setbacks also indicates that she may be able to regain her top form and mount a strong challenge in the French Open.
