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American Danielle Collins completed a comprehensive straight-set victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Italian Open. <\/b><\/p>\n
Collins capitalised on a poor serving display from world number two Swiatek to cruise to the opening set before battling back from a break down in the second to clinch a 6-1 7-5 victory.<\/p>\n
It was just her second win in nine matches against the five-time Grand Slam champion and first on clay – the 23-year-old Pole’s preferred surface. <\/p>\n
Collins, 31, will face either Ukrainian Elina Svitolina or compatriot Hailey Baptiste in the fourth round, while Swiatek must now regroup before the French Open, which begins on 25 May.<\/p>\n
Swiatek had won the Italian Open in three of the past four seasons but struggled for her best form in the run-up to this year’s event in Rome. <\/p>\n
She has not won a WTA tournament since claiming her fourth French Open women’s singles title in five years at Roland Garros 12 months ago. <\/p>\n
Swiatek started poorly, serving double faults when facing break point in her first two service games, and lost her third to love as 29th seed Collins raced into a 5-0 lead.<\/p>\n
Swiatek finally got on the board in the sixth game, but was promptly broken for a fourth time to lose the opening set in just 24 minutes.<\/p>\n
She broke Collins in the opening game of the second set, but was again unable to cement the break. <\/p>\n
Collins battled hard to keep on level terms for the remainder of the second set before pouncing in the 12th game, claiming a sixth break of serve in the match to seal victory with her second match point as Swiatek flashed a backhand wide. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n