Iga Swiatek was on the verge of being dumped out of the Australian Open by 2022 Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins, but she fought her way back like a champion to prevail.
Swiatek is the continued world No. 1, and that will remain the case regardless of how far she gets in Melbourne. She was seeking to win a maiden Australian Open title, which is one of two Grand Slams where she is yet to lift the trophy.
The Pole had a tough first-round draw and win against Sofia Kenin. However, Collins was an even more difficult prospect. The American's run to the final in Melbourne in 2022 included a semifinal victory against Swiatek.
Collins showed those credentials from the start of the contest. She was hitting hard from the baseline, being particularly successful with her two-handed backhand, and it took Swiatek some time to adjust to her opponent in set one.
It led to Collins breaking serve in the fourth game, but she then followed it with a flat service game, allowing Swiatek to break to love. The rain delay came at 3-3 15-15, and the rest of the match was played indoors.
The ninth game was the most important of the first set, with Collins missing three game points and subsequently getting broken. Swiatek then held to take the opening set 6-4.
Swiatek broke in the first game of the second set, and many would have expected her to run away with the match at that point. However, what followed next in the set was scarcely believable.
Collins began to dominate, repeatedly punishing Swiatek's second serve and dominating from the baseline. The world No. 1 could not cope, and the American easily won the next five games.
The 2022 Australian runner-up then made things more complicated than necessary, missing four set points on her serve and another on the Swiatek serve, but she then held to love to force a deciding set.
Swiatek held her opening service game, but the pattern of the second set then returned. More huge hitting from Collins allowed her to break again. Another break of serve followed, and the Pole trailed 4-1.
But Swiatek is a champion for a reason. She broke back to love, and then crucially, found a way to hold serve despite trailing 0-40. The Collins game suddenly dropped, and the world No. 1 broke again.
Swiatek's game was back with a vengeance, and there was no stopping her. She won the final two games to claim a dramatic 6-4 3-6 6-4 victory, and survive a scare in the process.
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