Danielle Collins mashes Paula Badosa in Charleston to continue great run
Collins dominated Badosa from the very beginning of the match.
By Lee Vowell
How dominant was Danielle Collins against Paula Badosa in the first round of the Charleston Open? So much so that while the score at one point in the second set was 6-1 3-1 in favor of Collins, Badosa had yet to win a service game. Badosa would straighten things out somewhat, but Collins was just too much in the end winning 6-1 6-4.
But the Spaniard should not feel bad. The American has been too much for everyone recently. Collins was dominant at the Miami Open in winning her first Masters 1000 by only dropping one set which came early in the tournament. This might be Collins' last year playing on the WTA tour, but she is not going out without playing some of her best tennis ever.
Badosa, though, has been struggling since injuries began to affect her over a year ago. She is capable of greatness when fully healthy and then playing consistently, but who knows when she can sustain that? Even she seems doubtful at times. This is a shame as Badosa and her boyfriend, ATP player Stefanos Tsitsipas, seem like nice people who are good for tennis.
Danielle Collins carries Miami form into Charleston
But Collins is an inspiration as well. She is battling through two conditions that would affect anyone no matter their job. Collins has both rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis. Based on her recent play, one might not know she had any health concerns, though. That is how strong she has been of late.
And she simply overpowered Badosa on Tuesday. It is also notable that she transitioned from the hard court in Miami to the clay court of Charleston without it affecting her game against the former WTA No. 2. Collins had 6 aces to zero to Badosa but the main reason wasn't pace but how well the American was placing her serve.
This has been one of the major keys to her recent run of success. She has been able to repeat excellent shots. If she can continue to do so, she could make a run at the top ten before her final year is over.
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