March 31, (THEWILL) – American tennis star Danielle Collins etched her name in the history books by capturing the prestigious Miami Open title on Saturday. In a gripping final encounter, Collins rallied past fourth seed Elena Rybakina 7-5 6-3, marking her maiden WTA 1000 triumph on home soil.
Collins’ relentless determination and pinpoint serving proved instrumental in her victory. She won a staggering 75% of her first-serve points and converted three of seven break-point opportunities. The final set witnessed a scintillating display that left the capacity crowd, including former Miami champion Andre Agassi, spellbound.
In her post-match interview with Sky Sports, the elated 30-year-old Collins said: “This is my first WTA 1000, and I’ve worked incredibly hard for it. It has taken me a bit longer than many other players, but today has been surreal, playing in front of so many people and having the whole stadium’s support. It’s truly special.”
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Collins’ triumph at the Miami Open is particularly poignant, as she announced her impending retirement from professional tennis in January. Her runner-up finish at the 2022 Australian Open hinted at her potential, and she has now taken the ultimate step by clinching a prestigious title on American soil.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.