In a stunning upset at the 2025 Italian Open, Danielle Collins took down the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, in a decisive match that showcased her grit and determination. Collins, the 29th seed, defeated the world number two Swiatek with a score of 6-1, 7-5 in the third round, marking a significant moment in her career.
Collins, who has faced Swiatek numerous times before, reflected on her journey to this victory, emphasizing the sacrifices her parents made to support her tennis aspirations. “I think it shaped me so much, coming from a pretty humble beginning,” Collins shared. “Tennis is an expensive sport, and my parents did everything for me. They were working double jobs, extra hours to be able to afford this. And, you know, to be able to come out here and live out my dream - you know I was never a child prodigy, I had an unconventional route, but that hard work and perseverance has really made me into the person that I am,” she added.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, especially for Swiatek, who was looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Madrid where she suffered her worst clay-court defeat in six years against Coco Gauff. Swiatek had entered the Italian Open as the defending champion and had won her opening match convincingly against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 6-1, 6-0. However, her hopes of defending her title were dashed by Collins, who played fearlessly and capitalized on Swiatek's uncharacteristic errors.
In the first set, Collins dominated, taking a commanding 5-0 lead before Swiatek could finally get on the board. Collins mixed her shots expertly, firing 32 winners and converting six of her eight break points, while Swiatek struggled with 22 unforced errors, a stark contrast to her usual performance. The second set saw Swiatek fight back, leveling the score at 4-4, but Collins pulled away to secure the win in 1 hour and 44 minutes.
“I played Iga so many times. The winning favor is in her favor,” Collins noted after the match. “When you play that many close matches and play some of your best tennis but lose, you learn a lot. I feel like I applied that today.” Collins’ victory not only ended Swiatek's title defense but also marked a significant shift in the WTA rankings, as Swiatek will drop to world number four, her first time out of the top three since March 2022.
Swiatek's loss is particularly concerning as she heads towards the French Open, where she will aim to defend her title. The Polish star has not won a tournament in almost a year, with her last title coming at the 2024 French Open. The pressure is mounting as her performance on clay has been disappointing this season, losing nine matches already, which matches her total losses for all of 2024.
Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon champion, described Swiatek’s early exit from the Italian Open as a “massive shock.” She noted that Swiatek was missing routine shots and seemed to struggle with her confidence on the court. “It’s a massive shock. To see Iga Swiatek going out so early in a clay court tournament before a Grand Slam, which is Roland Garros, when she is defending champion, is the biggest shock,” Bartoli said. “She was struggling so much on the return of serve. On a few occasions in the second set, she could have broken and gotten herself back in 2-2, 15-15; she missed two routine returns of serve.”
As Swiatek prepares for the French Open, the pressure to reclaim her status as a top player is palpable. “There is not that confidence anymore in her movement, she’s missing shots she normally would never miss,” Bartoli explained. “It has been a lot easier this year to beat her out of the court.” Swiatek will need to regroup quickly as she faces a challenging path ahead.
Collins, now with a record of 9-5 for the year, is set to face the winner of the match between Elina Svitolina and Hailey Baptiste in the fourth round on May 12. Her victory over Swiatek not only boosts her confidence but also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis, especially in the lead-up to a Grand Slam.
The Italian Open continues to showcase thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes, leaving fans eager to see how the tournament unfolds. With the French Open just around the corner, players will be looking to build momentum, and Collins has certainly made a statement with her impressive performance against Swiatek.
As the dust settles on this shocking defeat for Swiatek, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if she can bounce back and reclaim her form in time for the French Open. Collins, on the other hand, has proven that hard work and perseverance can lead to remarkable victories, and her journey is just beginning.
