Danielle Collins Clinches Maiden Miami Open Title in Farewell Season

Danielle Collins, an American tennis player, emerged victorious against the fourth seed Elena Rybakina in the Miami Open final on Saturday, securing the championship 7-5, 6-3 in what she has announced will be her final season. Collins impressively won almost 75% of her first-serve points and successfully converted three out of her seven break opportunities during the match, which lasted just over two hours. Her performance in the second set particularly captivated the audience, including past Miami Open champion Andre Agassi.

Collins, at the age of 30, celebrated her first WTA 1000 title, acknowledging the hard work and time it took to achieve this milestone compared to other players. She highlighted the challenges of the week, facing top-tier competitors and expressed gratitude towards the fans for their unparalleled support.

Announcing her intention to retire at the end of the season earlier in January, Collins made a remarkable mark by winning this prestigious East Coast tournament, surpassing her previous best at the 2022 Australian Open where she was the runner-up.

With this victory, Collins joins the ranks of American women champions like Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, and Sloane Stephens, becoming the sixth American woman to win the title.

Collins showcased her powerful game from the start, breaking Rybakina’s serve multiple times. She eventually secured the first set with a remarkable cross-court backhand winner. Despite Rybakina’s efforts to equalize in the second set, Collins regained control after saving three break points in the seventh game, leaving the former Wimbledon champion unable to turn the match around.

Rybakina, who was also a finalist in last year’s Miami Open and had to withdraw from Indian Wells this month due to health issues, had an impressive run to the finals, including a notable victory over Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals. Despite not expecting to reach the final, Rybakina reflected positively on her performance and the challenging matches she faced over the two weeks.