By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, April 28, 2024
No. 13-seeded Danielle Collins dismantled Jaqueline Cristian in the decider 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the Mutua Madrid Open round of 16.
Photo credit: Matteo Villalba/Getty
Spending this spring season building the biggest winning streak of her career, Danielle Collins played demolition expert today.
Pushed to a third set, a fiery Collins dismantled Jaqueline Cristian in the decider 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the Mutua Madrid Open round of 16.
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It is Collins' 15th consecutive victory.
The Miami and Charleston champion smacked eight aces, including an ace to save break point in the final set and an ace to close a two-hour triumph.
The victory vaults Collins into a showdown vs. world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka for a quarterfinal spot. Defending champion Sabalenka fended off American wild card Robin Montgomery 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4.
The 13th-seeded Collins has roared scoring back-to-back Madrid wins from a set down.
Showing no fear of a third set—or a crowd heckler—Collins confronted the test with fire and desire at one point calling the critic out to test her on court.
Stepping into the court, Collins battered backhands to rattle out the break and a 3-1 third-set lead.
Staring down a break point in the next game, Collins rocketed an ace out wide to erase it erupting with a loud "Come on Danielle!" to fuel her fight further. That ace helped Collins hold for 4-1.
The Collins two-handed backhand is her kill shot and one of the best two-handers in the sport. Collins' forehand was fire at times in the final set today.
Collins curled a crosscourt forehand return for break point then crushed a forehand return winner to break for 5-1.
On match point, Collins cranked her eighth ace to close her 15th straight win.