Danielle Collins’ final Grand Slam appearance will be at the US Open. The 2022 Australian Open runner-up is retiring at the end of the season. In her final year, she has produced some of the best tennis of her career, surprising many fans. Despite that, Collins is not considered one of the women’s favorites at the US Open. This article gives three reasons why Collins could confound expectations and challenge for the title in New York.
Why Danielle Collins is a Title Contender at her Final US Open
1. Collins’ Performances This year
Collins started her season by almost defeating Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open. She lost after being 4-1 up in the deciding set. The 30-year-old announced she would retire at the end of the season after losing to Swiatek. She followed that strong performance against Swiatek with a run to the quarterfinal in Doha before losing to the French Open champion Swiatek again at the BNP Paribas Open.
However, Collins began to play incredibly after that. She secured her first WTA 1000 title at the Miami Open. The Floridian did not drop a set during her run glory at her home tournament, beating 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final. But she was not done there. Collins also stormed to the title at the Charleston Open the following week, dropping just one set.
While the American has not reached those incredible heights since, partly due to injuries, there have still been flashes of brilliance. When Colins’ game clicks, she is difficult to stop. Other players in the draw will be wary of that.
2. The US Open Conditions Will Suit Collins
Although she is dangerous on any surface, Collins plays her best tennis on hard courts. Her Australian Open final appearance and title run in Miami prove that. The speed of the hard court also matters, with the four-time WTA title winner usually producing her highest level on medium-speed hard courts. For example, Collins has only managed one win in five attempts on the very quick courts at the Cincinnati Open but thrived in the medium-speed conditions at the Australian Open and Miami.
Players preparing for the US Open have spoken about the courts being much slower than the Cincinnati Open. But they are also not too slow and have a balance. That gives Collins the best possible chance of thriving. Being from Florida, she is also comfortable playing in the high temperatures that the US Open often brings.
3. Being Written off Might Suit Collins
Collins’ Miami Open run was unexpected, and one of the most surprising WTA 1000 runs in recent years. Although the American continued to perform solidly after the Charleston Open, including reaching the quarterfinals of the Olympics, she was not as mesmerizing after expectations rose on her after winning back-to-back titles. Expectations are lower again after getting injured in her Olympic quarterfinal and losing her first match back at the Monterrey Open. Aryna Sabalenka is widely seen as the US Open favorite, and few think Collins will challenge her.
Collins is known for her feisty attitude on the court, and she will relish trying to prove people wrong. If she gets in the zone, her ultra-aggressive style could shock many by going far at Flushing Meadows.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
