Iga Swiatek Shows Massive Respect After Losing to Danielle Collins at the Australian Open 2022

Australian Open saw a big upset today, as the no.7 seed Iga Swiatek crashed out of the tournament. Many expected Swiatek will easily win against the American Danielle Collins in their semi-final match. However, that was not the case, as no.27 seed Collins easily defeated the Polish player in straight sets. 

Collins was not an unknown opponent for Swiatek, as they had previously faced each other once. Also, this was not the first time that Collins reached the semi-final at the Australian Open. Previously, in 2019, the American reached the semis where she lost to Petra Kvitova. After the match, Swiatek praised her opponent and showed great respect.

Iga Swiatek shows respect towards Danielle Collins

28-year-old Danielle Collins showed great determination and resolve throughout the Australian Open. She beat the Swiatek by 6-4,6-1, and the encounter lasted 1 hour and 18 minutes. Collins’ performance actually surprised Swiatek, but she showed massive respect towards her opponent. 

“I tried to find solutions, but I can assume what feelings she had today on court, b/c I have that feeling sometimes. It’s hard to stop an opponent when they are playing like that,” Swiatek said about Collins.

“I think that was the fastest ball I have ever played against on a match…. It seemed for her that it wasn’t even risky b/c she was playing it with control. So I am impressed and huge respect to her,” Swiatek further stated. 

Despite losing the semi-final match, Swiatek didn’t look disappointed. Now, she will focus on the final between Collins and Ashleigh Barty and try to learn a few things. “I’m gonna for sure be watching [the final] and learning,” the Polish player said later.

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Collins is on a fairy-tale run at the Australian Open

Many didn’t give Danielle Collins a chance before the start of the tournament. However, she has proved everyone wrong by reaching the finals of the Australian Open. Incidentally, this is Collins’ first-ever Grand Slam final appearance after reaching the semi-final in Australia in 2019. 

Collins will face the tournament favorite and the current World No.1 Ashleigh Barty in the final on Saturday. Collins will definitely go into the match as the underdog. However, if Collins can repeat today’s performance, she will have a great chance to grab her first Grand Slam title. 

Meanwhile, Swiatek had a great tournament despite losing in the semi-final. She has already won a Grand Slam and is only 20-years-old. With her talent, the world is her oyster. 

Can Collins cause an upset in the Australian Open final? Let us know in the comments.

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