In a thrilling day at the Italian Open, Danielle Collins and Iga Swiatek are set to reignite their rivalry as both advanced convincingly to the third round at the iconic Foro Italico in Rome on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Collins, the No. 29 seed, showcased her formidable skills by defeating Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-3, while Swiatek, the defending champion and second seed, steamrolled past Italian wild card Elisabetta Cocciaretto with a stunning 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Collins, who has been making waves on the WTA tour, demonstrated her prowess on clay, marking her first clay-court win since her triumph over former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko in Charleston last month. This victory not only propels her into a high-stakes matchup against Swiatek but also marks a significant return to form after a challenging quarterfinal exit at the Charleston Open, where she lost to compatriot Jessica Pegula.
In her match against Ruse, Collins effectively controlled the pace, breaking serve at critical moments and maintaining her composure throughout the match. "I felt really good on the court today," Collins remarked post-match. "I just tried to focus on my game and not get caught up in the moment. I’m excited to face Iga next; it’s always a challenge against her, but I’m ready for it."
Swiatek's performance was equally impressive, as she dismantled Cocciaretto in just 52 minutes, marking her seventh consecutive victory at the Italian Open. The Polish star, who has been vocal about managing her perfectionism, appeared aggressive and focused, breaking her opponent's serve multiple times and securing a decisive win. "I’m happy with how I played today," Swiatek said. "I think I managed to keep my emotions in check and just focus on executing my game plan."
As Swiatek prepares to face Collins, the history between the two adds an intriguing layer to their upcoming clash. Swiatek holds a 7-1 advantage in their head-to-head meetings, including a controversial encounter at the Paris Olympics, where Collins retired due to an abdominal injury while trailing in the third set. The tension from that match lingers, as Collins has expressed her frustrations regarding Swiatek's behavior during that encounter.
“Hopefully I can bring [the intensity] up to a 10,” Collins told Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj when asked about her strategy against Swiatek. “Iga’s one of the best players in the world and always brings the hard-hitting shots, so I gotta be ready.” This sentiment underscores the competitive spirit that both players bring to the court, making their upcoming match one to watch.
In other notable matches on Thursday, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka continued her impressive clay-court run, overcoming Swiss lucky loser Viktorija Golubic with a score of 2-6, 7-5, 6-1. This victory marks Osaka's seventh consecutive win on clay, showcasing her resilience and adaptability on the surface.
Additionally, several other matches shaped the second round of the tournament. Peyton Stearns defeated Anna Kalinskaya, the 28th seed, in a straight-set battle, while Elise Mertens outlasted Suzan Lamens in a three-set thriller. Jelena Ostapenko also made headlines with her comeback win against Rebecca Sramkova.
The Italian Open, part of the prestigious WTA 1000 circuit, boasts an impressive prize pool of EUR 6,009,593, drawing top talent from around the globe. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and potential upsets as players vie for the coveted title.
Looking ahead, the matchup between Collins and Swiatek promises to be an electrifying encounter, with both players eager to assert their dominance on the clay. With the stakes high and the rivalry intensifying, tennis enthusiasts are in for a treat as these two exceptional athletes take to the court.
The Italian Open continues to unfold, with each match bringing new excitement and drama. As the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds for the next round, where the best in the sport will showcase their skills on one of the most celebrated stages in tennis.
Stay tuned as we bring you updates and highlights from the Italian Open, where the action is just heating up and every match could change the course of the tournament.
