Danielle Collins pulled off a second three-set win of the week at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, the 2024 finalist rallying to defeat Emma Raducanu, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
“I think it’s more rewarding when you win a tough match versus one that was easy,” Collins said on court after the match. “A lot of times when you win easy, it’s just about how bad the other player played, right? So, it’s better if it can be a little bit close to come out with these wins.”
The former world No. 7 shook off losing a long game late in the third and, fired up by a too-close-for-comfort cameraman, reeled off the final three games of match, knocking out the 2021 US Open champion in two hours and 21 minutes.
“I knew playing Emma, I would have to play my aggressive game style,” she said, “and the more that I did that, I think I was able to kind of stay in control of the points and really push her. She played really well and gave me some challenges but I just kept going after it.”
Collins is in the midst of an encore season after initially planning to make 2024 her final year on tour. She made up for a delayed start to her red-clay swing with a big win at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, dethroning defending champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets en route to the fourth round.
