Collins triumphant in Miami

Final day in Miami.

2024 Miami Open presented by Itau, a WTA 1000 tournament, on Hard Outdoor, Miami, Florida, USA, 19-31 March 2024

2023 champion (not defending):

Petra Kvitova (15) who defeated Elena Rybakina (10) 7-6(14) 6-2

Final:

Danielle Collins (USA) v Elena Rybakina (4) (Kazakhstan)

The players met four times before the final, Rybakina winning the past three times.

Most recently it was the round of sixteen in Abu Dhabi this year.

Rybakina saved a break point in the second game of set one before levelling at 1-1.

In the pivotal seventh game, Collins saved four break points, one with an ace, another with a serve backhand combination.

She led 4-3, games still on serve.

Collins was serving at 5-5 and deuce when Rybakina delivered a forehand winner to create a break point.

Collins saved it with a backhand winner and proceeded to hold serve. 6-5.

Serving to stay in the set, Rybakina saved two set points, but couldn’t save a third.

Collins broke and took the set 7-5,

In game two of set two Rybakina let a 40-15 lead slip and was broken.

Collins led 2-0.

Rybakina broke back immediately and games were on serve again.

Collins saved two break points in a lengthy seventh game before holding to lead 4-3.

Next game Collins converted the second of two break points and lead 5-3.

Serving for the match, an epic struggle ensued.

Collins saved two break points and Rybakina saved three match points.

A fourth match point arrived and finally Danielle Collins sealed victory with a backhand winner.

7-5 6-3.

Third title for Danielle Collins in her first final since losing to Ash Barty in the 2022 Australian Open.

Last title was in San Jose, August 2021. 

This is the first at WTA 1000 level.