Danielle Collins

Danielle Rose Collins (born December 13, 1993) is an American professional tennis player. She played collegiate tennis at the University of Virginia and won the NCAA singles title twice, 2014 and 2016, during her sophomore and senior years. Collins finished her career at Virginia in 2016 as the top-ranked collegiate player. Having first established her place on the WTA Tour when she reached the semifinals of the 2018 Miami Open as a qualifier (recording her first top 10 victory over former World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams along the way), Collins' big breakthrough came at the 2019 Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals, defeating world No. 2 Angelique Kerber in the fourth round. She was also a quarterfinalist at the 2020 French Open in singles and the 2019 Wimbledon Championships in doubles, and has won one WTA 125K and four ITF singles titles. She reached a career-high ranking of world No. 23 in singles on January 28, 2019 and No. 86 in doubles on March 2, 2020.

Danielle Collins
Collins at the 2019 French Open
Full nameDanielle Rose Collins
Country (sports) United States
Born (1993-12-13) December 13, 1993
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Turned pro2016[1]
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
CollegeUniversity of Virginia
CoachNicolás Almagro
Prize moneyUS$2,953,096
Singles
Career record145–94 (60.7%)
Career titles0 (1 WTA 125K, 4 ITF)
Highest rankingNo. 23 (January 28, 2019)
Current rankingNo. 45 (November 2, 2020)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian OpenSF (2019)
French OpenQF (2020)
Wimbledon3R (2019)
US Open2R (2019)
Doubles
Career record13–16 (44.8%)
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 86 (March 2, 2020)
Current rankingNo. 95 (October 12, 2020)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open2R (2020)
French Open2R (2019)
WimbledonQF (2019)
US Open3R (2019)
Team competitions
Fed Cup1–1
Last updated on: November 4, 2020.

Career

College

While at Virginia, she won the Honda Sports Award as the nation's best female tennis player in 2016.[2][3]

2009–2017

In 2009, Collins played her first events on the ITF Women's Circuit. She won her first ITF singles title in 2011.[4] She did not play any professional matches in 2013 and 2015 while she was playing college tennis at Virginia.

Collins made her WTA Tour main-draw debut as a wildcard at the 2014 US Open in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she forced second seed Simona Halep to a third-setter in the first round.[5] In mid-2016, she turned fully professional. During her time on the ITF Circuit, she won four singles titles.

2018: Breakthrough and top 50

Collins started the year reaching the final round of qualifying at the Australian Open before being outclassed by Denisa Allertová, in two sets. However, she received a wildcard at the WTA 125K tournament at Newport Beach, and claimed the title there, which saw her rise to a career-high ranking of 120 at that time.[6]

Another impressive run at another WTA 125K tournament, this time in Indian Wells, saw her reach the quarterfinals and thus earn a wildcard for the BNP Paribas Open, a Premier Mandatory tournament that also takes place in Indian Wells. There, she won her first ever WTA Tour match against compatriot Taylor Townsend, before beating world No. 14, Madison Keys, in straight sets,[7] followed by a victory over Sofya Zhuk. Although her run ended in the fourth-round to former world No. 6, Carla Suárez Navarro, Collins made her top-100 debut, jumping from No. 117 to No. 93.[8]

Getting through the qualifying rounds at the Miami Open, Collins beat world No. 37, Irina-Camelia Begu, in straight sets before upsetting two-time major semifinalist CoCo Vandeweghe, in three sets. Victories over Donna Vekić and Monica Puig followed, before she earned the biggest victory of her career, beating her idol, former world No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion, Venus Williams, who was the eighth-ranked player coming into their encounter.[9] With this win she became the first qualifier ever to reach the semifinals at the Miami Open.[10] She then faced sixth-seeded Jeļena Ostapenko and lost in straight sets, despite having a set point in the first set. After making it to the quarterfinals in Monterrey, Collins broke into the top 50 for the first time.

Collins only won back-to-back main draw matches at two other tournaments the rest of the season, reaching the third round in Eastbourne and the semifinals in San Jose (both Premier-level events) and lost in the opening round at the remaining three Grand Slams. Nonetheless, she finished the year ranked No. 36 in the world, more than 100 spots above her previous best year-end ranking.

2019: Australian Open semifinal

Her rise continued at the Australian Open. Prior to the tournament, she had never won a match at a major event. After upsetting 14th seed Julia Görges in a tough first-round match, Collins won her next three matches in straight sets; first against Sachia Vickery, then against 19th seed Caroline Garcia. In the round of 16, Collins pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament, dominating the second seed and three-time major champion Angelique Kerber, in straight sets. She thus reached the quarterfinals, where she defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets. In the semifinals, she lost to eighth seed Petra Kvitová, in two sets.[11] Collins rose to a career-high ranking of No. 23 following the tournament. She also recorded wins at all the other Grand Slam events, reaching the second round at the French Open and US Open as well as the third round at Wimbledon. She also recorded her best-ever Grand Slam doubles result at Wimbledon, reaching the quarterfinals with Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Collins struggled outside of the majors though, reaching the quarterfinals at just one tournament (the Volvo Car Open). In December, Collins won the Hawaii Open, an exhibition tournament, upon the withdrawal of her finals opponent Angelique Kerber. She finished the year ranked 31st.

2020: Two big wins to begin the year, French Open quarterfinalist

Collins began 2020 with three wins over top-15 opponents. She defeated world No. 5, Elina Svitolina, 6–1, 6–1 the first round at the Brisbane International before falling to world No. 13, Madison Keys, 4–6, 1–6 in the quarterfinals. The following week at the Adelaide International, she defeated No. 15, Sofia Kenin, 6–3, 6–1 in the second round, and then No. 7, Belinda Bencic, 6–3, 6–1 in the quarterfinals. Collins fell to world No. 1, Ash Barty, 6–3, 1–6, 6–7(5) in the semifinals.[12] However, she fell in the second round to Yulia Putintseva at the Australian Open, and dropped outside the top 50 due to failing to defend her semifinalist points.

Due to the six-month shutdown of the WTA tour caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Collins did not play again after the Australian Open until August. She lost in the opening round of her first two tournaments back, to Jil Teichmann at the Western & Southern Open and Anett Kontaveit at the US Open. However, Collins rebounded at the French Open, where she reached her second career Grand Slam quarterfinal. Along the way, she upset two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Garbiñe Muguruza in the third round (handing the Spaniard her earliest exit from Roland Garros since 2013) as well as 30th seed Ons Jabeur, both in three sets. Her run ultimately came to an end against compatriot and reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, in a match that for both players was their fourth three-setter of five matches.

World TeamTennis

Collins played her first season with World TeamTennis in 2019 with Billie Jean King's Philadelphia Freedoms. She started the 2020 season on the Orlando Storm roster which began July 12,[13] but was dismissed from the league after leaving the state and breaching COVID-19 safety protocols.[14]

Playing style

Collins employs a highly aggressive playing style that has been described as "fearless", "ferocious" and "fun to watch".[15] She has a powerful serve, and strong groundstrokes on both wings, making her one of the hardest hitters on the WTA Tour. Her style allows her to hit a high number of winners, but also a considerable amount of unforced errors. Her greatest strengths are her kick serve, her inside-out forehand, and her backhand down the line. She also possesses strong volleying skills, allowing her to hit winners from any position on the court.

Personal life

Danielle is a daughter of Walter and Cathy Collins. She graduated from Northeast High School, St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2012.[16] As a high school player, her junior ranking was good enough to get her a scholarship from the University of Florida. After her freshman year, she transferred to the University of Virginia (UVA). She won the NCAA singles title in her sophomore and senior years.

She graduated from UVA with a bachelor's degree in media studies and business.[17]

Her postgraduate plan was to play professional tennis and attend business school.[18]

Performance timelines
Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# A P Z# PO G F-S SF-B NMS NH
(W) Won; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (A) absent; (P) postponed; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (F-S) silver or (SF-B) bronze Olympic medal; a (NMS) downgraded Masters Series/1000 tournament; (NH) not held. SR=strike rate (events won/competed)
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Only main-draw results in WTA Tour, Grand Slam tournaments, Fed Cup/Billie Jean King Cup and Olympic Games are included in win–loss records.[19]

Singles

Current after the 2020 season.

Tournament 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 SR W–L Win %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open A A A A Q3 SF 2R 0 / 2 6–2 75%
French Open A A A A 1R 2R QF 0 / 3 5–3 63%
Wimbledon A A A Q1 1R 3R NH 0 / 2 2–2 50%
US Open 1R A 1R Q1 1R 2R 1R 0 / 5 1–5 17%
Win–Loss 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–3 9–4 5–3 0 / 12 14–12 54%
National representation
Billie Jean King Cup A A A A A 1R A 0 / 1 1–0 100%
WTA 1000
Dubai / Qatar Open A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Indian Wells Open A A A 1R 4R 3R NH 0 / 3 4–3 57%
Miami Open A A A A SF 3R NH 0 / 2 6–2 75%
Madrid Open A A A A 1R 2R NH 0 / 2 1–2 33%
Italian Open A A A A 2R 2R A 0 / 2 2–2 50%
Canadian Open A A A A A 1R NH 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Cincinnati Open A A A A 1R A 1R 0 / 2 0–2 0%
Wuhan Open A A A A 1R 2R NH 0 / 2 1–2 33%
China Open A A A A 2R 1R NH 0 / 2 1–2 33%
Career statistics
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 SR W–L Win %
Tournaments 1 0 1 1 17 18 6 Career total: 44
Titles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career total: 0
Finals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career total: 0
Hard Win–Loss 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 13–10 11–11 6–5 0 / 29 30–29 51%
Clay Win–Loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–4 6–5 4–1 0 / 10 12–10 55%
Grass Win–Loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–3 2–2 0–0 0 / 5 4–5 44%
Overall Win–Loss 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 17–17 19–18 10–6 0 / 44 46–44 51%
Win (%) 0%  –  0% 0% 50% 51% 63% Career total: 51%
Year-end ranking 950 N/A 299 167 36 31 45 $2,953,096

Doubles
Tournament201820192020 2021SRW–L
Australian Open A 1R 2R 0 / 2 1–2
French Open A 2R A 0 / 1 1–1
Wimbledon 1R QF NH 0 / 2 2–2
US Open 2R 3R A 0 / 2 3–2
Win–Loss 1–2 5–4 1–1 0 / 7 7–7

WTA 125K series finals

Singles: 1 (1 title)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Jan 2018 Newport Challenger, United States Hard Sofya Zhuk 2–6, 6–4, 6–3

ITF Circuit finals

Singles: 8 (4 titles, 4 runner–ups)
Legend
$100,000 tournaments (0–0)
$80,000 tournaments (0–1)
$60,000 tournaments (0–2)
$25,000 tournaments (3–1)
$10,000 tournaments (1–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (2–2)
Clay (2–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Oct 2011 ITF Williamsburg, United States 10,000 Clay Nika Kukharchuk 6–1, 6–3
Win 2–0 Oct 2016 ITF Stillwater, United States 25,000 Hard Caroline Dolehide 1–0 ret.
Loss 2–1 Oct 2016 Classic of Macon, United States 60,000 Hard Kayla Day 1–6, 3–6
Loss 2–2 May 2017 ITF Charleston, United States 60,000 Clay Madison Brengle 6–4, 2–6, 3–6
Loss 2–3 May 2017 ITF Naples, United States 25,000 Clay Claire Liu 3–6, 1–6
Win 3–3 Jun 2017 ITF Bethany Beach, United States 25,000 Clay Lauren Embree 6–1, 6–0
Loss 3–4 Nov 2017 Tyler Challenge, United States 80,000 Hard Kristie Ahn 4–6, 4–6
Win 4–4 Nov 2017 ITF Norman, United States 25,000 Hard Sachia Vickery 1–6, 6–3, 6–4

Doubles: 2 (2 runner–ups)
Legend
$100,000 tournaments (0–0)
$80,000 tournaments (0–0)
$60,000 tournaments (0–1)
$25,000 tournaments (0–1)
$15,000 tournaments (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (0–0)
Clay (0–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 0–1 Apr 2017 ITF Charlottesville, United States 60,000 Clay Madison Brengle Jovana Jakšić
Catalina Pella		 4–6, 6–7(5–7)
Loss 0–2 May 2017 ITF Naples, United States 25,000 Clay Taylor Townsend Emina Bektas
Sanaz Marand		 6–7(1–7), 1–6

Record against top 10 players
  • Collins' match record against players who have been ranked in the top 10, with those who are active in boldface. Only WTA Tour main draw matches are considered.
  • Players who at some point in their careers have attained this ranking. This is not necessarily the ranking held when they encountered each other.
Opponent Highest
ranking		Matches Won Lost Win % Last match
Venus Williams 12 2 0 100% Won (7–5, 7–6(7–5)) at 2019 Wuhan 1R
Karolína Plíšková 11 1 0 100% Won (7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–3)) at 2021 Melbourne 3R
Victoria Azarenka 12 1 1 50% Lost (1–6, 2–6) at 2019 Acapulco 1R
Garbiñe Muguruza 12 1 1 50% Won (7–5, 2–6, 6–4) at 2020 French Open 3R
Angelique Kerber 12 1 1 50% Won (6–0, 6–2) at 2019 Australian Open 4R
Caroline Wozniacki 13 1 2 33% Lost (6–4, 3–6, 4–6) at 2019 US Open 2R
Simona Halep 11 0 1 0% Lost (7–6(7–2), 1–6, 2–6) at 2014 US Open 1R
Ashleigh Barty 13 0 3 0% Lost (6–3, 1–6, 6–7(5–7)) at 2020 Adelaide International SF
Naomi Osaka 12 0 2 0% Lost (4–6, 2–6) at 2019 Indian Wells 3R
Serena Williams 11 0 1 0% Lost (2–6, 6–4, [6–10]) at 2021 Melbourne QF
Vera Zvonareva 21 1 0 100% Won (6–1, 6–4) at 2019 Madrid 1R
Petra Kvitová 22 0 2 0% Lost (6–7(2–7), 0–6) at 2019 Australian Open SF
Elina Svitolina 31 1 0 100% Won (6–1, 6–1) at 2020 Brisbane International 1R
Belinda Bencic 41 1 0 100% Won (6–3, 6–1) at 2020 Adelaide International SQ
Caroline Garcia 41 1 0 100% Won (6–3, 6–2) at 2019 Australian Open 3R
Sofia Kenin 41 1 0 100% Won (6–3, 6–1) at 2020 Adelaide International 2R
Jeļena Ostapenko 51 0 1 0% Lost (6–7(1–7), 3–6) at 2018 Miami SF
Carla Suárez Navarro 62 1 1 50% Won (6–2, 6–4) at 2018 Eastbourne 2R
Madison Keys 72 1 1 50% Lost (4–6, 1–6) at 2020 Brisbane International QF
Julia Görges 91 1 0 100% Won (2–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–4) at 2019 Australian Open 1R
CoCo Vandeweghe 91 1 0 100% Won (6–3, 1–6, 6–1) at 2018 Miami 2R
Timea Bacsinszky 92 1 1 50% Lost (3–6, ret.) at 2018 Tianjin 1R
Aryna Sabalenka 92 0 2 0% Lost (1–6, 0–6) at 2019 Wuhan 2R
Daria Kasatkina 101 0 1 0% Lost (2–6, 3–6) at 2018 Rome 2R
Kristina Mladenovic 101 0 1 0% Lost (3–6, 2–6) at 2019 Beijing 1R
Total 37 16 21 43% * Statistics correct as of 5 October 2020

Wins over top 10 players
Season 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Total
Wins 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 5
# Player Rank Event Surface Rd Score DCR
2018
1. Venus Williams No. 8 Miami Open, United States Hard QF 6–2, 6–3 No. 93
2019
2. Angelique Kerber No. 2 Australian Open, Australia Hard 4R 6–0, 6–2 No. 35
2020
3. Elina Svitolina No. 5 Brisbane International, Australia Hard 1R 6–1, 6–1 No. 27
4. Belinda Bencic No. 7 Adelaide International, Australia Hard QF 6–3, 6–1 No. 27
2021
5. Karolína Plíšková No. 6 Yarra Valley Classic, Australia Hard 3R 7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–3) No. 46

References
  1. itatennis.com
  2. "Collins of the University of Virginia Named the Honda Sport Award Winner for Tennis". CWSA. June 7, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  3. "Collins Named Honda Sport Award Winner For Tennis". University of Virginia Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  4. "Danielle Collins Bio". WTA Tennis. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  5. "2018 US Open Spotlight: Danielle Collins". US Open. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  6. Juzwiak, Jason (January 28, 2018). "Collins claims Newport Beach title over Zhuk". WTA Tennis. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  7. Han, Don (March 11, 2018). "WTA Indian Wells: Wildcard Danielle Collins shocks Madison Keys in straight sets". VAVEL USA. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  8. Nguyen, Courtney (March 12, 2018). "Getting to Know: Danielle Collins ready for impact". WTA Tennis. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  9. "Danielle Collins tops idol Venus Williams at Miami Open quarterfinals". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  10. "Wta Miami - Danielle Collins shocks Venus Williams and makes history". Tennis World. March 29, 2018.
  11. Harwitt, Sandra (January 24, 2019). "Petra Kvitova downs upstart American Danielle Collins in Australian Open semifinals". USA Today. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  12. Macpherson, Alex (January 17, 2019). "Barty comeback quells Collins in Adelaide semis". WTA Tennis. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  13. "Orlando Storm Announces 2020 Roster". OrlandoStorm.com. April 10, 2020.
  14. "Danielle Collins dismissed from World TeamTennis tournament for violating COVID-19 protocol". CBSSports.com. July 22, 2020.
  15. Hodges, Vicki (January 23, 2019). "Who is Danielle Collins, the fearless American through to the Australian Open semifinals?". The Telegraph. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  16. "Danielle Collins". Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  17. Lakic, Vanja (January 23, 2019). "From UVA to the Australian Open Final Four: How Danielle Collins Broke Through". www.si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  18. "2015-16 Women's Tennis Roster: Danielle Collins". virginiasports.com. University of Virginia Athletics. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  19. "Player & Career overview".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.