Jelena Ostapenko showed respect for Danielle Collins after their match in Abu Dhabi when she called the American «a great player» and noted that she had to work very hard to achieve a victory over the American. In the first round in Abu Dhabi, Ostapenko edged out Collins in a thrilling 7-5, 1-6, 7-5.
Now, Ostapenko owns a 2-0 head-to-head against Collins. At Miami 2018, Ostapenko defeated Collins in straight sets. «Danielle is a great player and it’s always a tough match against her because she plays so well and is very feisty.
The party never ends until we shake hands. I am very happy that although in some games I did not play my best, I fought and managed to win the match. These kinds of matches give confidence,» Ostapenko said after beating Collins, according to the WTA website.
Ostapenko edged past Collins in three sets
Ostapenko saved a break point in the third game of the first set, but also missed two consecutive break points in the sixth game. After wasting two consecutive break points, Ostapenko dropped his serve in the seventh game of the first set.
Down 5-3 in the first set, Ostapenko responded in some style by winning back-to-back breaks and winning the next four games to steal the opener from Collins. But after winning the first set in such fashion, Ostapenko’s level dropped early in the second set as Collins opened up a comfortable 4-0 lead.
In the seventh game, as Ostapenko was serving to stay in the second set, the Latvian broke again as Collins forced a third set. After easily dropping the second set, Ostapenko claimed the first break of the third set in the third game.
Ostapenko had serve broken in the eighth game, but broke Collins again in game 11 for a 6-5 lead. In game 12, Ostapenko grabbed her first match point to complete a tight three-set win against Collins.
