Swiatek edges into Paris Olympics semi-finals after Collins retirement

By Sports Desk July 31, 2024

Iga Swiatek edged past Danielle Collins to book her place in the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics. 

The top ranked seed was pushed all the way by her American opponent, but came through a third-set decider to win 6-1 2-6 4-1 after Collins was forced to retire. 

Swiatek asserted her dominance early on, racing into a 3-0 lead and remained in control for the rest of the first set, with Collins no match for the Pole. 

However, Collins started with a three-game lead of her own in the second set, looking a completely different player to the one who first stepped out on Court Suzanne Lenglen. 

The world number one did have two chances at 5-2 down to put the pressure back on her opponent, but Collins remained composed to take the game to a deciding third set. 

But Swiatek would find her rhythm once again, racing into a four-game lead as Collins took a medical timeout off-court. 

The American would emerge back on court to win her first game of the set but retired immediately after, handing the win to her opponent. 

Swiatek will continue her quest for a fifth success at Roland-Garros on Thursday where she will face Zheng Qinwen, who beat Angelique Kerber. 

Data Debrief: Swiatek marches on, just

Swiatek's love affair on the clay courts in the French capital continued, but it did not come without its nervy moments. 

Despite dominating the opening set, Collins was impressive with her serve, scoring seven aces in the contest compared to Swiatek's two. 

Swiatek's triumph saw her become the first Polish player in history to reach the Olympics semi-finals in the singles.

Related items

  • Ebden and Thompson send Australia to third straight Davis Cup semi Ebden and Thompson send Australia to third straight Davis Cup semi

    Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson booked Australia's place in the Davis Cup semi-finals after the pair clinched their deciding match against the United States to win 2-1. 

    The pair, who won gold at the Paris Olympics, beat Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton 6-4 6-4 to put Lleyton Hewitt's side into their third successive semi-final at the men's team event.

    Australia, who have won the tournament 28 times, largely had Thanasi Kokkinakis to thank after his remarkable triumph over Shelton in the first match of the day.

    Kokkinakis saved four match points and let slip six of his own before eventually prevailing 6-1 4-6 7-6 (16-14) in an engrossing encounter that lasted two hours and 14 minutes. 

    However, in the rematch of a recent ATP Finals group-stage match, Taylor Fritz emerged victorious over Alex De Minaur as he did in Turin a week ago. 

    Despite De Minaur going 2-0 up in the second set, Fritz roared back to earn a 6-3 6-4 victory to send the tie the distance in Malaga. 

    But Australia held their nerve, and will discover their opponents later on Thursday when reigning champions Italy take on Argentina.

    Ebden and Thompson’s win came after United States’ captain Bob Bryan opted for a late change, with Paul and Shelton replacing Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

    “We were expecting the other pair, but we knew they’ve got incredible players who can play doubles,” said Ebden.

    “We were ready. A slight adjustment obviously. More huge serving singles players than the doubles craft, maybe, but it was just as big a challenge as any.

    "Out here, finals live match, just to play with Jordan here was real fun. Following what Kokk did, unfortunately Alex went down, but what a day. So fun, so happy.”

    Data Debrief: Australia ready to right Davis Cup wrongs

    Australia have failed to win the Davis Cup since 2003, but they will be confident of halting that streak this time around. 

    If they take the trophy, they will have reason to thank Kokkinakis, whose tie-break win against Shelton was the longest an Australian player had featured in at the tournament, surpassing Pat Rafter's win over David Rikl in the 1997 quarter-finals of the competition (15-13). 

    Ebden and Thompson also shone when it mattered most, serving four aces compared to Paul and Shelton's two, while also winning 92% of their first-serve points. 

  • Paolini and Bronzetti seal fifth Billie Jean King Cup for Italy Paolini and Bronzetti seal fifth Billie Jean King Cup for Italy

    Victories for Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti handed Italy their fifth Billie Jean King Cup title as they overcame Slovakia in Wednesday's final in Malaga.

    Italy, who were beaten in last year's final by Canada, overcame Poland in the semi-finals on Monday as Paolini partnered Sara Errani for a decisive doubles win over world number two Iga Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa.

    The showpiece contest began with Bronzetti triumphing 6-2 6-4 against Viktoria Hruncakova, before Paolini took to the court to face Rebecca Sramkova.

    The world number four – who won doubles gold at the Paris Olympics in August to cap her breakout year – eased past Sramkova by a 6-2 6-1 scoreline to ensure a doubles match was not required.

    Speaking after Italy claimed the trophy for the first time since 2011, Bronzetti heaped praise upon her team-mate and revealed she had struggled to sleep before playing in front of 12-time grand slam champion King.

    "Jasmine raised her level really high this year. She's an example for all of us," Bronzetti said.

    Asked about King's presence in the crowd, Bronzetti added: "She is a great person, a great legend. I didn't sleep very well.

    "You're not playing just for yourself. You're playing for your team and your country. We all want this trophy, and it is our dream, all Italians."

    Data Debrief: Five-star Italy

    Italy have claimed their fifth Billie Jean King Cup, having previously triumphed in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

    Only the United States (18), Czechoslovakia/Czechia (11) and Australia (seven) have won more. Spain and Russia (also including the USSR and Russian Tennis Federation) have also tasted success five times.

  • Germany set up Netherlands semi-final showdown at Davis Cup Germany set up Netherlands semi-final showdown at Davis Cup

    Germany booked their place in the Davis Cup semi-finals after wrapping up a 2-0 victory over Canada in Malaga.

    Daniel Altmaier and Jan-Lennard Struff were both victorious over Gabriel Diallo and Denis Shapovalov respectively, to set up a last-four clash with the Netherlands.

    Germany were beaten 2-1 by Canada when the nations met at this stage of the 2022 Davis Cup, but they drew first blood when Altmaier came through a hard-fought clash with Diallo 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

    It looked like the tie would go to a doubles decider when former Wimbledon semi-finalist Shapovalov took the opening set against Struff.

    But the world number 43 bounced back to prevail 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) after two hours and seven minutes.

    "Denis was playing amazingly, coming out firing," Struff said. "It was a very tough match. He was serving so well. It was tough to return. The court is very fast. An incredible match. I'm just happy to get over the line at the end."

    On Friday's semi-final with the Dutch, he added: "It's a big step for us to go from the quarters to the semis. For sure, we want to win and go to the final now.

    "Netherlands played an amazing match yesterday, beating Spain here in front of a home crowd. We expect a very tough opponent."

    Data Debrief: Germany through as errors cost Canada

    The two tie-breaks proved pivotal as the Germans secured only their second Davis Cup semi-final appearance since 2008 (also reaching that stage in 2021).

    Though both sets were tight during the first match, Diallo hit 40 unforced errors to Altmaier's 17, and was 6-1 for double faults.

    Similarly, in the second rubber, though Shapovalov was 27-8 for aces, 13 double faults to just four from Struff proved costly.

    Altmaier and Struff's reward is a first meeting with the Netherlands since the 2001 quarter-finals, which the Dutch won 4-1.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.