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Swiatek's Rome title defence ends early, Berrettini and Giron advance
Gulf Today
|May 11, 2025
Iga Swiatek was dumped out of the Italian Open on Saturday after the reigning Rome champion suffered a shock 6-1, 7-5 defeat at the hands of Danielle Collins.
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World number two Swiatek was hunting a fourth title at the Foro Italico but failed to get past the third round of the last major tournament before the French Open following an uncharacteristically bad display against unfancied Collins.
Veteran Collins, 31, will now face one of Elina Svitolina or fellow American Hailey Baptiste in the last 16 as the world number 35 hunts an unlikely second WTA 1000 title after winning in Miami last year.
"In my mind I was kind of like, well, even though the last couple times we've played she's beaten me, I've played some of my best tennis in those matches. So that gave me confidence," Collins told reporters.
Swiatek's early exit is a major shock as the Pole usually dominates her rivals on clay and has a hugely impressive record in the Italian capital.
This story is from the May 11, 2025 edition of Gulf Today.
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