A red-hot Danielle Collins spoiled Simona Halep’s return from a three-month injury layoff on Wednesday, downing the former world number one...
A red-hot Danielle Collins spoiled Simona Halep’s return from a three-month injury layoff on Wednesday, downing the former world number one in three sets in the second round of the WTA hardcourt tournament in Montreal.
Romania’s Halep, who won the Canadian titles in 2016 and 2018, saved four match points in the final game of an epic match lasting close to three hours but took a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat.
American Collins extended her win streak to 12 matches - a run that saw her claim back-to-back titles in Palermo and San Jose – with her victory over the former top-ranked player who missed Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Olympics with a calf injury.
Halep last competed in Rome in mid-May before taking time away for treatment and recovery.
“It was a great match especially after a few months of break,” Halep said. “I played really well and I’m happy with everything - it was a bit unexpected.
“I’m getting better and I’m positive about how I played. After three months it’s tough to play three hours at a high level with someone who has been winning a lot of matches.”
Collins kept the sixth-seeded Halep under constant pressure, the Romanian saving 15 of 22 break points against her serve.
Top seed Aryna...
