Round of sixteen
Former AO semi finalists - Collins (2019) and Mertens (2018) - won their ways in the draw to a third meeting between the two.
Mertens won a first round match at Wimbledon 2018.
Collins won a round of sixteen match in Chicago, October 2021
Collins served first.
A double fault didn’t faze her, and service was held with ease.
Mertens faced 3 break points after two of her errors and an American backhand winner.
Mertens saved them all with two aces and a forehand winner.
However two more errors from the Mertens racquet gave Collins the break. 2-0.
Collins wasted three game points before consolidating at 3-0.
Game five - from 30-0, Collins double faulted, then Mertens forced her into error, and serve was eventually dropped.
Games back on serve.
In the seventh game, Collins was ahead 30-15, but again she let the lead slip.
Mertens hit a backhand winner, and Collins delivered errors, one forced by Mertens to confirm a service break. The Belgian led 4-3.
Mertens survived four deuces and two break points to extend the lead. 5-3.
Serving to stay in the set, Collins began with a double fault. She saved a set point with a forehand winner.
Another Collins forehand winner ended the game, and forced Mertens to serve for the set. At 5-4.
A forehand return winner from Collins and a Mertens double fault. 0-30.
From 15-30, Mertens hit a backhand winner and an ace to bring up set point. It was saved.
Then a double fault gave Collins a break chance. It too was saved.
Mertens hit a backhand winner to create a second set point, and it was enough, as Collins failed with a forehand.
The set was in the bag for Mertens 6-4.
Collins saved two break points, and held serve to begin set two.
Mertens was broken in the next game, thanks largely to three Collins winners,
When attempting to consolidate, a double fault came, but three more winners more than compensated, and Collins led 3-0.
Serving at 5-3 for the set, Collins saved two break points, but not a third, and Mertens was back on serve, 4-5.
A great returning game from Collins game which included three clean winners, gave her the break and the set 6-4.
A decider required.
Both won their opening service games in set three - Collins a love game, Mertens survived two break points in hers.
A momentum switch - Collins broken to love in game three, unforced errors the last two points.
Collins broke back in the next game with her second opportunity. 2-2.
Mertens served at 4-5 to stay in the match.
Two match points were saved, but Collins set up a third with a backhand winner.
Mertens double faulted, and the match ended.
Danielle Collins won a place in the quarter finals 4-6 6-4 6-4.
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