Former Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins should convey her A-game to as soon as once more cease world No.1 Iga Swiatek in her tracks at Melbourne Park.
Polish celebrity Swiatek was denied an Open closing showdown with Australian Ash Barty in 2022 when surprised by Collins within the semis.
Two years on, the unseeded American shapes as a possible stumbling block in Swiatek’s quest so as to add a maiden Melbourne title to her haul of 4 grand slams.
Collins, who battled previous new mum and 2016 Open champion Angelique Kerber first up, is beneath no phantasm issues will get simpler on Thursday when she meets Swiatek on Rod Laver Arena.
“Iga’s game speaks for itself. She kind of has all the tools,” she mentioned.
“We’re very familiar with her game and I’ve played her a couple of times and had some great matches with her and some not-so-great matches with her.
“So hopefully I can have considered one of my finest days on courtroom, as a result of towards the most effective gamers you must convey your finest.”
After extended her winning run to 17 matches with an opening-round victory against 2020 Open champion Sofia Kenin, Swiatek acknowledged Collins shapes as another tough match-up.
But she pointed to her 6-1 6-0 win over the American world No.62 at the Cincinnati Masters in August.
“We performed actually tight matches. On the opposite hand our final match … from the rating, I had it beneath management,” the Pole said.
Ajla Tomljanovic is among three Australians in action on day five, squaring off against rival and 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
The 30-year-old local hope set up a rematch of her infamous clash with the Latvian at Wimbledon in 2021 with a first-round comeback win over Croatian Petra Martic.
Australia’s three-time grand slam quarter-finalist complained when Ostapenko called for a medical time-out at the All England Club three years ago, sparking a war of words.
But ahead of their clash Tomljanovic insisted there was no bad blood between the pair.
On the men’s side of the draw, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Max Purcell will have their work cut out for them against seeded stars Grigor Dimitrov and Casper Ruud respectively.
Spanish gun and world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz will also be seeking to equal his best performance at Melbourne Park with victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY FIVE OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN (PREFIX DENOTES SEEDING):
Men’s singles, second round
Max Purcell v 10-Casper Ruud (NOR)
Thanasi Kokkinakis v 13-Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)
Women’s singles, second spherical
Ajla Tomljanovic v 11-Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
