Breakout star embarrasses world No.2 in 56-minute thrashing
Unheralded American Danielle Collins has brushed aside second seed Angelique Kerber 6-0 6-2 in one of the biggest upsets of the Australian Open.
The unseeded Collins took the first set off the reigning Wimbledon champion in just 20 minutes and the match in a little under an hour to move into the quarter-finals.
Collins, who hadn’t won a single grand slam match in five previous attempts before this tournament, smacked 29 winners to stun three-time major winner Kerber.
“I may not have won a grand slam match before this but I’ve got to tell you, I think it’s going to keep happening,” she said.
When you can't believe what you have just done 😲
Danielle Collins celebrates the biggest win of her career.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Vg0mzjL2YO
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2019
“Hope to have many more of these.”
The 25-year-old has had a meteoric rise up the world ranking’s breaking into the world top 40 last season after starting the year 136.
“I go out fearless. I’ve been working so hard my whole life and I just give it my all.,” said the former collegiate star.
Kerber, coming off four wins at the Hopman Cup in Perth, was considered a big chance off lifting the Australian Open trophy for the second time.
Collins will meet either countrywoman and fifth seed Sloane Stephens or Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a spot in the final four.