By Adrianna Outlaw | Thursday, September 30, 2021
Danielle Collins broke serve seven times toppling seventh-seeded Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4 to reach her eighth quarterfinal of the season in Chicago.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Danielle Collins went for broke—and reaped the rewards with a quarterfinal return.
Collins broke serve seven times toppling seventh-seeded Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4 to advance to her eighth quarterfinal of the season at the Chicago Fall Tennis Classic.
More: Djokovic Withdraws from Indian Wells
The 10th-seeded Collins recovered from 3-5 down in the final set to defeat Misaki Doi 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in round two. Today, Collins got off to fasts starts in both sets opening up a 4-2 first-set lead and a 4-1 second-set lead. Collins won 16 of 22 points played on Mertens' second serve and exploited 10 double faults from the former US Open doubles champion.
Collins improved to 34-12 on the season.
A year ago, Collins was ranked No. 57. She's risen to No. 28 now and will try to continue her rise facing Marketa Vondrousova next.
The Olympic silver medalist was a 6-4, 6-3 victor over Swiss left-hander Jil Teichmann.
Second-seeded Garbine Muguruza took a walkover into the quarterfinals when scheduled opponent Victoria Azarenka withdrew. Former world No. 1 Muguruza will meet either American Shelby Rogers or 200th-ranked Japanese Mai Hontama.
Earlier, Ons Jabeur rallied past American Jessica Pegula 1-6, 6-2, 6-3. The sixth-seeded Jabeur will face top-seeded Elina Svitolina for a semifinal spot.
No. 5-seeded Elena Rybakina ripped nine aces in a 7-6(4), 7-5 triumph over 12th-seeded Russian Veronika Kudermetova.