'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABfAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAEDBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxIABAYRBRMhAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGEQEAAQUAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBREhMVFh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDK6GGsZvMjcskILuP8ZZKtVuJB7ARMh4DUzIbBq0e5YdzkGnUJmYpFy7oDfgHtKU2xKyhFVd2YPn2UOysltWZc3J66+Ff/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins
Tournament: Qatar TotalEnergies Open
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $780,637
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins preview
Top seed Iga Swiatek opens her Qatar Open title defense with a tough second-round clash against 2022 Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins.
Trending
Following her career-best season that saw her collect a staggering eight titles, Iga Swiatek's start to 2023 has so far been underwhelming by her own lofty standards. The World No. 1 was walloped by fourth-ranked Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals of the United Cup.
Her hopes of staging a turnaround at the Australian Open were dashed by reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who sent her packing 6-4, 6-4 in the fourth round.
Swiatek will very much look forward to a fresh start to the year as she begins the most important part of her season. It was right here in Doha that the 21-year-old embarked on her scintillating winning run, winning six titles in a row. The Pole will hope that a return to the tournament will help her get back some rhythm.
However, it might not be that easy for the youngster. Standing in Swiatek's way is former World No. 7 Danielle Collins, who famously cut short her campaign in the semifinals of the Melbourne Major last year.
That said, the American's own form has been questionable coming into this tournament. A series of injuries and illnesses robbed Collins of a chance to build on her fantastic campaign at the Australian Open last year.
A semifinal in San Diego, a quarterfinal in Miami and a Round-of-16 finish at the US Open were her only notable performances for the rest of the year.
She has shown a lot of fighting spirit in the four tournaments she has played prior to arriving in Doha this year. But barring a last-eight appearance at the Adelaide International 2, she has mostly succumbed to early three-set defeats in most of the other events.
The 29-year-old once more looked on her way to relinquishing a second-set lead before making amends to beat Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-6(6) in the first round of the Qatar Open on Tuesday.
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins head-to-head
Swiatek and Collins are tied at 1-1 in the head-to-head. The Pole came through in their first meeting at Adelaide in 2021 when Collins retired, trailing 6-2, 3-0. The American exacted revenge a year later at the Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-1 win.
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins odds
(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins prediction
With her aggressive playing style and ability to take the ball on the rise, Collins poses a threat to Swiatek. The American stepped inside the baseline to take time away from the Pole, pushing her out of her comfort zone on the fast hardcourt the last time they met.
Collins will once again look for that same approach. However, her own lapses don't bode well for her chances. The World No. 42 served for the match at 5-3 in the second set against Mertens on Tuesday before losing her footing.
Out of the nine matches that the American has played this year, six have gone the distance. This in itself proves that she has struggled to maintain her level for the entirety of matches.
That might be music to Swiatek's ears. Once Collins' intensity dips, the Pole won't hesitate to take her chances. Swiatek might take a few games to settle into the match, but her pinpoint accuracy, movement and angles will eventually help her seal a place in the quarterfinals.
Pick: Iga Swiatek to win in three sets.
