It was a stunning run from the unheralded #DanielleCollins as she stormed to a commanding and ruthless 6-0, 6-2 win over world number two #AngeliqueKerber, who was a huge title contender considering a soft draw, in the fourth round of the 2019 #AustralianOpen. The American was firing on all cylinders, stomping all over the former champion as she fired 29 winners past the out-of-sorts German.
Kerber only managed to win just 11 points on her serve throughout the entire match, finding just six winners but committing a total of 17 unforced errors. Collins dictated play in the majority of the rallies and allowing her opponent just 27 points, having won more than twice the number of points.
Collins came into Melbourne having not won a Major singles match in her career after her late resurgence but came from a set and a break down against 14th seed Julia Goerges to narrowly grab the huge confidence-boosting victory. She was just two points away from defeat in that match as well. She then strolled over Sachia Vickery and 19th seed Caroline Garcia, before stunning world number two Kerber today to reach her first Major quarterfinal. This is also the biggest win of her career in terms of rankings.
Collins grabs the first set bagel
Collins saw herself being entangled in a tricky start, although a timely ace at deuce saw her earning a game point which she ultimately converted with a big forehand winner. Kerber’s first match as a 31-year-old seemed to be a disaster as she started her first service game with consecutive double-faults before her vulnerable serves allowed Collins to find consecutive winners to grab the early break.
Looking unstoppable, Collins found herself with a stunning 3-0 lead after just seven minutes of action. Kerber could not catch a break, as she was absolutely struggling on her serve with her opponent grabbing every opportunity she was handed. Collins took advantage of another series of double-faults and soon found herself a double-break up.
Collins was forced to save a break point, though she impressively did it with a backhand winner, and consolidated the break for the formidable 5-0 lead. Kerber, serving to stay in the set, failed to put up much of a fight and fell without putting up a tough challenge, allowing Collins to run away with the bagel.
Collins seals the win
Kerber started the second set with some encouraging signs — who started to play some of her vintage counterpunching tennis although Collins still seemed like she had this under control. Several unforced errors from the American followed, and the German world number two finally managed to get onto the scoreboard with a break.
However, Kerber was unable to hold onto her advantage as Collins came roaring straight back, punishing the weak Kerber serves to level the scores immediately. Seven consecutive points went to the unseeded 25-year-old, although Kerber still managed to retrieve from a 0-30 deficit to hold serve in a crucial fourth game.
Five winners in a titanic fifth game saw Collins survive yet another nervy situation, firing five winners in that game alone. The number of winners soared for the firing American, who found multiple backhand beauties to break for a 4-2 lead in the second set. It was a disappointing match played by Kerber as she eventually lost eight of the last 11 points, handing Collins the terrific 6-0, 6-2 win after less than an hour of action.
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