National Bank Open: Danielle Collins thwarts Simona Halep's comeback

Danielle Collins caused one of Wednesday’s biggest upsets at the National Bank Open in Montreal. In their second-round match, the American ousted sixth seed Simona Halep, who was making her return to the Tour from the calf injury that’d side-lined her at the French Open and Wimbledon. Collins won 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 55 minutes. This win marked Collins’ 12th win on the trot.

In her post-match media conference, Collins said, “Honestly, I just feel really lucky. Dealing with the physical stuff today after playing a lot of matches, it wasn't easy. It definitely got the best of me physically and emotionally. So just being able to hang in there, just really proud to be able to pull through.”

For a place in the quarter-finals, Collins will play fellow countrywoman, Jessica Pegula. Pegula upset 10th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in their round-of-32 clash, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 51 minutes.

National Bank Open: Aryna Sabalenka survives exodus of seeds

Johanna Konta posted the third upset of the day. The Briton defeated third seed Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 11 minutes in the second round. This was Konta’s first win in six matches against the Ukrainian, who’s playing her first tournament since winning the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, two weeks ago.

Konta will take on 15th seed Coco Gauff in the third round. The American advanced after her second-round opponent Anastasia Potapova retired midway in their match with an injury.

Fourth seed Karolina Pliskova also clinched a three-set victory to reach the pre-quarter-finals. The Czech defeated Donna Vekic 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) in two hours and 35 minutes. For a place in the last eight, Pliskova will play Amanda Anisimova. The American won against France’s Oceane Dodin 6-3, 6-3.

Maria Sakkari was also among the seeds who reached the round-of-16. The 11th-seeded Greek beat Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 38 minutes. Next up for Sakkari is eighth seed Victoria Azarenka.

Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament top seed, survived her opening-round clash against Sloane Stephens to reach the pre-quarters of the National Bank Open. The Belarusian trailed Stephens 1-4 in the deciding set before she turned the course of the match around and won five consecutive games to clinch a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 win after two hours and 25 minutes. In the third round, Sabalenka will take on Rebecca Marino, who won against Paula Badosa 1-6, 7-5, 6-4. 

Photo Credit: WTA Twitter

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