In a shocking upset at the Italian Open, Iga Swiatek, the reigning champion and World No. 2, was eliminated in the third round by American Danielle Collins, ranked World No. 35, with a commanding score of 6-1, 7-5. Swiatek, who had dominated the tournament in recent years, struggled throughout the match, committing an uncharacteristic number of unforced errors and failing to find her rhythm.
The match began disastrously for Swiatek, who lost the first set in just 34 minutes. She managed only a 23% first serve percentage and won a mere 15 points. Collins capitalized on Swiatek’s mistakes, taking full control early on. Although Swiatek showed glimpses of a fightback in the second set by breaking Collins’ serve early, the American quickly regained control, breaking back and maintaining her advantage.
Despite Swiatek's efforts to level the match at 5-5, she ultimately collapsed under pressure, unable to mount any further resistance as Collins sealed the win. This defeat marks Swiatek’s worst result of the season and her earliest exit from the Italian Open since her debut in 2020. The loss follows her heavy defeat in Madrid, where she was overwhelmed 6-1, 6-1 by Coco Gauff in the semifinals, raising concerns as Swiatek heads into Roland Garros in less than two weeks.
Swiatek, a three-time Rome champion (2021, 2022, 2024), now faces increased pressure as she dropped from World No. 2 to No. 4 in the WTA rankings following the loss in Rome. Her confidence will be tested as she prepares for the French Open, where she will aim to reclaim her crown. However, she must find a way to overcome the mental and physical challenges that have plagued her in recent weeks.
After an upbeat win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto in her Rome debut, where she defeated the Italian 6-1, 6-0, Swiatek’s shocking defeat to Collins is a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn in the world of tennis. Collins, reflecting on her unexpected victory, stated, “I played Iga so many times. The winning favor is in her favor. 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, who has enjoyed a solid season, opened up about the sacrifices her parents made to support her tennis career, saying, “I think it shaped me so much, coming from a pretty humble beginning. I think it's hard getting into tennis. 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.”
This victory marks just Collins’ second win in nine matches against Swiatek and her first on clay, highlighting the significance of this moment for the 31-year-old American. Following her win, Collins will now face either Ukrainian Elina Svitolina or compatriot Hailey Baptiste in the fourth round, as she hunts for an unlikely second WTA 1000 title after winning in Miami last year.
Swiatek’s early exit is a major shock, as she usually dominates her rivals on clay. Her performance has raised questions about her form heading into the French Open, where she has won four of the last five editions (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024). The Polish star has not won a WTA tournament since claiming her fourth French Open women’s singles title at Roland Garros 12 months ago.
As the tournament progresses, the women’s draw has opened up significantly with Swiatek’s defeat. Naomi Osaka, who could have been a potential opponent for Swiatek in the quarterfinals, is set to face Marie Bouzkova later today. If Osaka advances, she will meet fifth seed Madison Keys in the last 16.
Meanwhile, the Italian Open continues to captivate fans, with Jannik Sinner preparing for his return to action from a contested doping ban. The world number one expressed hope to shake off the cobwebs and see where his game stands after a three-month hiatus. Sinner, who won three Grand Slam titles last year, is eager to make a strong showing at Roland Garros later this month.
As the dust settles on Swiatek's unexpected defeat, the tennis world watches closely to see how she will regroup ahead of the French Open. The upcoming tournament, starting on May 25, 2025, will be crucial for Swiatek as she aims to bounce back from a challenging season and reclaim her dominance on the clay courts.
