Collins conquers Kasatkina 6-2, 6-1 for Charleston Open crown

As the clay court swing commenced on the green Har-Tru at this WTA event in Charleston, South Carolina, two elite players battled for the trophy, prestige, and 500 ranking points. Danielle Collins, the thirty-year-old American and reigning Miami Open champion was in search of her fifth career title and second in the past two weeks as she competes in her final season on tour.

She has looked fit and fierce while tearing through the draw at the Credit One Open with the loss of just one set in five matches. While she trailed the head-to-head 1-2 and lost their only match on clay, they had not played one another in almost three years.

Daria Kasatkina from Russia reached a career-high ranking of #8 two years ago and is currently ranked #11. She has gone the distance in four of her five matches, player tiebreaks, and close to three hours in her last two.

The twenty-six-year-old having made two finals this season (Abu Dhabi & Adelaide) was seeking her first of 2024, seventh overall, and was still a teenager when she secured her first tour-level title in Charleston, SC!

(AFP)

Kasatkina won the toss and elected to receive. Collins missed 4/5 first serves but with a winning crosscourt forehand, held easily to 15. Kasatkina struggled in her opening service game despite leading 30-15. She faced eight deuce, four break points, and dumped serve when Collins ripped a backhand crosscourt.

The American donated her first double fault but with three additional winners, consolidated the break for 3-0 while Kasatkina gifted her first double fault, and faced three deuce and two break points before holding for 1-3. 

Collins opened the fourth with her second double fault but struck three consecutive, formidable winners and held for 4-1 while the Russian made 5/6 first serves and held to 30 for 2-4. 

Collins opened the seventh with a mishit drop shot but with three more remarkable winners, held to 15 for 5-2 while Kasatkina serving with new balls, donated two additional double faults and conceded the game and set.

Collins served first in the second and with two consecutive forehand winners held at love while Kasatkina gifted her fourth double fault, faced two deuce, three break points, and dumped serve.

Collins struck three consecutive winners including her first ace and held at love to consolidate the break for 3-0. Kasatkina donated two double faults and dropped serve when she netted a backhand. She struck two consecutive forehand winners and reached double break point but failed to convert as Collins hit three extraordinary winners to hold for 5-0.

The Russian held easily to 15 for 1-5 but it was too little too late as Collins struck three additional winners including an ace to secure victory and her second consecutive title. 

The last player to win the Miami and Charleston Opens back-to-back was Serena Williams in 2013. Collins was exemplary on serve winning 95% of first and 59% of second serve points. She was equally effective when returning winning 36% of first and 72% of second-serve return points.

She saved both break points she faced while converting 4/12. Come Monday morning, she will be ranked 15th in the world, and with 3/4s of the season remaining, stay tuned!!