Barbora Krejcikova fights past Danielle Collins in San Diego semis clash of intriguing contrasts

SAN DIEGO—Less than a week ago, the traveling tennis cavalcade concluded matters at the US Open. The setting, of course, was raucous New York City. From there, off went the players, scattered to various locales, some for relaxation, others for more competition and the endless quest to gain ranking points.

So it was that on this Friday afternoon, 13th-ranked Barbora Krejcikova, a first-round loser in the singles of the US Open, found far more comfort and joy in a tranquil California oceanside city thousands of miles away from the noisy Big Apple. “I like this family atmosphere and the vibe of San Diego,” Krejcikova said following her 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Danielle Collins in the semifinals of the Cymbiotika San Diego Open. “I like the beach, I like the island.”

Though Collins stands 30 ranking spots below Krejcikova, well into the second set, you’d think the opposite was the case. The style contrast in this first-time match was intriguing. Collins is vocal and expressive, but mostly hits the ball as if she wants it to shut up. Krejcikova is taciturn, but her wide range of speeds and spins demonstrate an eloquent ability to make the ball talk.

For a good 1.7 sets, Collins was strongly in control and appeared on the way to reaching her first singles final since she went that far at the 2022 Australian Open. Movement, power, and accuracy propelled Collins through the first set, repeatedly silencing a somewhat listless Krejcikova. “I felt it’s going to be difficult,” said Krejcikova. “She’s going to fight for every point and just go for it.” Matters weren’t helped by Krejcikova serving four double-faults in that first set and going down an early break in the second.

But as the second set wore on, other traits subtly emerged. Krejcikova trotted out versatility and a stealth-like grit. “I felt I had to fight,” said Krejcikova. Serving at 4-4, love-30, she extricated herself from that predicament with some superb scrambling and, at 30-30, a shanked forehand topspin lob winner. Meanwhile, Collins, tenacious as she can be during rallies, began to intermittently overhit and sulk. Serving at 5-6, 30-30, Collins hit a makeable smash weakly and eventually lost the point. Next, Krejcikova crushed a backhand crosscourt return as smoothly as San Diego baseball legend Tony Gwynn had won eight batting titles.

By that stage, the match was literally even. But it was figuratively over. If not quite a formality, the third set was heavily dominated by Krejcikova. Similar in some ways to how Coco Gauff unraveled Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final, Krejcikova had absorbed one drive after another, attained parity—and in the process left Collins devoid of ideas. On her first match point, Krejcikova closed it out with another untouchable backhand, this one laced down-the-line.

Krejcikova now seeks her second title of the year. Her first came this February in Dubai, a remarkable run highlighted by wins over four Top 10 players—Daria Kasatkina (saving four match points), Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Iga Swiatek.

In the final, Krejcikova will play the winner of the evening’s semi between Sofia Kenin and Emma Navarro. Krejcikova is 1-0 versus Kenin and has never played Navarro.