Iga Swiatek flawless in Danielle Collins rematch, eases through Indian Wells opener

Six weeks after they met for a dramatic Australian Open encounter, Iga Swiatek faced far fewer problems in a rematch with Danielle Collins, advancing, 6-3, 6-0 to ease into the third round at the BNP Paribas Open.

"I'm happy that I started this tournament well because first rounds aren't easy, especially against Danielle," Swiatek said on court. "She's really hitting the ball hard, pretty unpredictable. I wanted to be ready for everything, and I'm happy to be through."

The world No. 1 trailed Collins by a double break before ultimately solving the soon-to-be-retired American in Melbourne, and applied lessons learned from that meeting with aplomb at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, streaking through the final nine games to ultimately clinch the contest in 80 minutes on Stadium 1 Court.

"It feels like home. I remember coming here when I was younger and it was all pretty overwhelming. Right now, I have a lot of support and the tournament is taking care of us in a really nice way. It feels amazing, and hopefully I'm going to be able to stay here as long as possible."

March is a special month for the top seed, who is celebrating the two-year anniversary of when she first topped the WTA rankings after becoming the youngest woman to capture a Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami. Reaching the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in 2023, Swiatek, who has now spent 93 weeks as No. 1, has proven plenty comfortable in Tennis Paradise—even against formidable opposition from Collins.

A former world No. 7, Collins announced 2024 would be her final season on tour after narrowly losing to Swiatek in Australia, but has nonetheless played solid tennis in the weeks since the shock revelation and looked poised to push Swiatek again in the desert.

The pair traded well-earned service holds for three games apiece, with the turning point arriving when Swiatek served her way through a marathon seventh game. From saving two break points at 15-40, the Pole went on a tear, winning 10 of 11 points to secure the opening set and won a sixth straight game when she outrallied Collins for a set and double-break lead.

"I started to make a few less mistakes, which gave Danielle a chance to make a few more. It's a small difference but at the end, I was ready to play well in those important moments, on break points and stuff like that. I'm happy I kept my focus and stayed with my game, no matter what Danielle was doing on the other side of the net."

A flummoxed Collins later missed wide off the forehand side and Swiatek was able to serve for the match up 5-0. Holding off a late surge, Swiatek saved two break points—one with a sweeping forehand into the open court—and a well-struck serve brought her to match point. Collins saved it with brave forehand winner but Swiatek held firm, ending the match with a backhand putaway.

Swiatek nonetheless remains in a tricky section of the draw, one that could see her face another Australian Open rival in the third round as Linda Noskova will take on Camila Giorgi later on Friday. Noskova, the No. 26 seed, stunned Swiatek in three sets en route to the quarterfinals Down Under.