Residents have been urged to not spread rumours during this crucial time
uae9 hours ago
Danielle Collins produced the performance of a lifetime and pulled off an almighty shock at the WTA Miami Open on Wednesday, sending Venus Williams crashing out 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals.
It was an amazing effort from a 24 year-old qualifier in just her second season as a professional and her debut appearance at Key Biscayne.
This was the first time in two attempts Collins has beaten a top 10 player, and even the crestfallen world number eight Williams would find it impossible to admit Collins didn't deserve to seal a meeting with French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko on Thursday for a place in Saturday's final.
"I don't think it was my best night of tennis, but there wasn't a shot she couldn't make," Williams said. "She played very well and aggressively, and she went for every shot and it landed."
Collins was simply delighted with the win over a player she idolized.
"The first time I saw Venus in the locker room I nearly cried," Collins said. "She has been my favourite player so I am finding it difficult to wrap my head around this."
The previously unheralded Collins, a Florida native who ended 2017 ranked 167TH but came into this tournament as the 93rd best player in the world, is certainly having a March to remember.
As a wildcard she reached the round of 16 in Indian Wells and has gone far better here with a fantastic run to the last four having come through qualifying.
That eclipsed the previous best result by a qualifier, when Marion Bartoli made the last eight in 2003.
Despite playing six matches to Williams' three, Collins came into this encounter having spent 24 minutes less on court than her American opponent (6 hours 58 minutes for Collins and 7 hours 22 for Williams).]
There could, however, be no sterner test for the 24 year-old than veteran Williams, who had fought her own battles to reach this stage, saving three match points in a marathon three-setter against Kiki Bertens in the round of 32.
Collins could be excused for being nervous, yet the media studies graduate from the University of Virginia,who claimed two NCAA collegiate singles titles in three seasons, roared out of the blocks and grabbed an early break to ease into a 3-0 lead.
Williams was on the back foot and saved two break points at 1-4 to keep herself in the set.
But Collins was relentless. Her hitting, especially from the back of the court, was of the highest order and when she broke again, this time thanks to a brilliant lob, the first set was sealed.
An excitable crowd here were expecting seven-time grand slam winner Williams to respond immediately, but it was her seemingly pressure-free opponent who continued to attack and soon enough, Williams was broken once more.
When the 37-year-old's serve let her down again, Collins could see the finish line.
Williams was desperately trying to claw her way back in but it was to be Collins' moment..
Residents have been urged to not spread rumours during this crucial time
uae9 hours ago
National Tourism Strategy 2031 aims to increase the contribution of the UAE tourism sector to the national GDP to Dh450 billion
business9 hours ago
The Tunisian icon believes tennis still has a way to go to achieve gender equality
tennis9 hours ago
Emirati golfers sweep the top three positions in both team and individual categories with Oman and Saudi finishing with silver and bronze medals
sports10 hours ago
Kane Williamson will captain the T20 World Cup squad for a fourth time as New Zealand hunt for a maiden title
cricket10 hours ago
Vehicle owners must bring their old plates along to the inspection station
uae10 hours ago
Clean sweep for UAE in golf as the hosts win team gold and Rayan claims individual title
sports10 hours ago