Indian Wells: Top-ranked Swiatek crushes Collins; Kerber upsets 10th seed Ostapenko

Swiatek edged Collins in an epic at the Australian Open, and the familiar foes appeared primed for another blockbuster when they were on serve, with the Pole leading 4-3 in the first set.

IIga Swiatek during her second round match against Danielle Collins at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

World number one Iga Swiatek blasted past American Danielle Collins 6-3, 6-0, and Angelique Kerber upset 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko in second round action at Indian Wells on Friday.

Swiatek edged Collins in an epic at the Australian Open, and the familiar foes appeared primed for another blockbuster when they were on serve, with the Pole leading 4-3 in the first set.

But Swiatek raised her level from there, breaking to love for 5-3 and winning the final nine games to advance to the tournament she won in 2022.

“I started to make a few less mistakes, which gave Danielle a chance to make a few more,” Swiatek said.

“It’s a small difference, but at the end, I was ready to play well in those important moments, on break points and stuff like that. I’m happy I kept my focus and stayed with my game, no matter what Danielle was doing on the other side of the net.”

Collins said in January she would retire at the end of the season, so this is expected to be the 30-year-old’s final appearance at Indian Wells.

The American beat Swiatek decisively to reach the Australian Open final in 2022 and achieved a career-high ranking of world number seven.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber celebrates a point against Jelena Ostapenko. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Kerber scored her biggest win in three years with an impressive 5-7 6-3 6-3 victory over hard-hitting Latvian Ostapenko.

The German, who returned to the tour in January after 18 months on maternity leave, fired an unreturnable serve on match point to seal her first win over a top-10 opponent since November 2021.

“This question I heard a lot: why I’m back and what gives me motivation,” the three-time Grand Slam champion said.

“For me, the biggest motivation is the love for the sport. I love to compete; being out there today as well, having this crowd, having the emotions—this gives me everything.

“Now, having my daughter on my side, it’s even more inspiring for me to have her, and there’s something bigger than tennis as well.”