Collins reaches first WTA 1000 final with comfortable Alexandrova victory

Danielle Collins booked a place in her first WTA 1000 final with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory against Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Miami Open.

The 30-year-old announced in January that this would be her final year on the WTA Tour, but she is currently experiencing her best run of form since reaching the Australian Open final in 2022.

Collins, playing in front of a home crowd at the Miami Open, has not dropped a set since coming back from one down in her opening match. No player has won more than three games against her in any set.

Alexandrova was subject to the same treatment despite previous victories against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula, losing in 75 minutes.

Collins drew 19 errors from her opponent as she broke serve twice to win the opening set.

She then started the second set with another break, before powering to victory with 21 winners.

“This feels like a really big accomplishment,” Collins said. “I think all of us want to make finals of 1000-level tournaments. These are our biggest tournaments of the year, aside from the Grand Slams.

“This is just so special. I can’t stress it enough about being in my home state and having my dog here, friends, family. It’s really special. I’ve had a couple of good years here, but this is definitely the most memorable.

“I followed all of [Alexandrova’s] matches this tournament, and it was so fun watching her. We have a similar game style, so it’s tricky when it’s like that.

“Because of that, I had to concentrate harder, had to react faster, and it really forced me to play at my highest level.”

Collins is seeking her third WTA title after victories at the Palermo Open and Silicon Valley Classic in 2021, but in her way stands world No. 4 Elena Rybakina, who took three sets to defeat Victoria Azarenka 6-4 0-6 7-6(2) in her semi-final.

Collins has beaten Rybakina just once in their four encounters, triumphing in San Jose in 2021.

“We’ve had a lot of tough battles, and that’s what we play for,” Collins said. “We want to have these matches. I think I actually did get a win on her in San Jose a while ago.

“Fingers crossed, I’ll have to do my homework. She’s been playing fantastic tennis, and another big hitter. So, I have to be ready.”

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