In a stunning turn of events at the WTA Rome 2025, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek was knocked out of the Italian Open in the third round by American Danielle Collins, who secured a 6-1, 7-5 victory at the iconic Foro Italico on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This defeat marks a significant upset, as Swiatek has been a dominant force in this tournament, having won the Italian Open three times in the past four years.
Collins, who had struggled in recent matches, capitalized on Swiatek's shaky start. The Polish star began the match poorly, committing double faults during crucial moments in her opening service games. This allowed Collins to race to a commanding 5-0 lead in the first set, setting the tone for her unexpected triumph. Collins described her experience facing Swiatek in previous matches as instrumental in her success. "I played against Iga so many times... When you play that many close matches and get this close and also play some of your best tennis and lose, I think you learn a lot," Collins said. "I feel like I applied that today, to the match."
The implications of this match extend beyond just the tournament. With this loss, Swiatek is set to lose a significant number of ranking points when the WTA rankings are updated on Monday, May 12, 2025. It's anticipated that she will drop to World No. 4, overtaken by either Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula ahead of the upcoming French Open.
But Swiatek wasn't the only favorite to falter on this dramatic day in Rome. Madison Keys also faced disappointment, losing a hard-fought battle against compatriot Peyton Stearns. After taking the first set 2-6, Keys rallied to win the second set 6-2, but ultimately fell in a nail-biting final tiebreak, with the match ending 7-6 in favor of Stearns.
Jessica Pegula, another top contender, suffered a similar fate, going down to Elise Mertens in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1. These unexpected results have shaken up the tournament landscape, leaving fans and analysts alike buzzing with speculation about the remaining competitors.
Other notable matches on Saturday included Naomi Osaka's comeback victory over Marie Bouzkova, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Jasmine Paolini also secured a solid win against Ons Jabeur with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Elina Svitolina managed to overcome Hailey Baptiste in a closely contested match, finishing 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Diana Shnaider defeated Jackeline Cristian with a score of 6-3, 6-3, while Jelena Ostapenko won against Laura Siegemund, who retired from the match (WO).
The fallout from these matches is significant as the tournament progresses, with many eyes now on Collins, who will face either Elina Svitolina or Hailey Baptiste in the fourth round. The Italian Open has a rich history of upsets, and this year’s event is proving to be no exception.
As the competition heats up, fans will be keen to see how the remaining players adapt and respond to the pressure. With the French Open looming on the horizon, the stakes couldn't be higher. Will Collins continue her impressive run, or will another underdog rise to the occasion? The drama is only just beginning.
