Swiatek’s Rome title defence ends early as Sinner set for hero’s return

AFP | Rome

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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, as Jannik Sinner prepares for his return to action from a contested doping ban.

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 g a v e 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.

The manner of her defeat is another worrying sign ahead of Roland Garros as she was also thrashed in straight sets by Coco Gauff in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open earlier this month.

Swiatek was barely recognisable from the player who has won four French Open titles, being broken four times in the first set and failing to impose herself at all on Collins, against whom she had previously won eight of nine meetings.

The 23-year-old’s elimination opens up her side of the women’s draw with Naomi Osaka, who could have been her opponent in the quarter-finals, taking on Marie Bouzkova later on Saturday. Osaka, who is still finding form after a 15-month break from tennis, will face fifth seed Madison Keys in the last 16 if she gets past Bouzkova.

Jasmine Paolini delighted the Rome crowd by sweeping aside Ons Jabeur in straight sets to set up a last 16 clash with Jelena Ostapenko. Fourth seed Taylor Fritz also exited after going down 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) to fellow American Marcos Giron.

Sinner wins in first match since ban

Jannik Sinner made a winning return to tennis on Saturday by beating Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4 in the second round at the Italian Open, his first match following his doping ban. The Italian had not played since winning the Australian Open in January due to the suspension he accepted from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) the following month.

US Danielle Collins celebrates after winning her women’s single match against Poland’s Iga Swiatek Japan’s Naomi Osaka returns a shot to Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova Italy’s Jannik Sinner.