Aryna Sabalenka and Danielle Collins are through to the semi-finals at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome after impressive victories in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Sabalenka, who has been battling a lower back injury, showed no signs of discomfort as she defeated Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, winning 6-2 6-4. The Belarusian was pleased to play without pain and considered it to be her best performance of the tournament, winning 81% of her first serves and not facing a single break point.
In the other quarter-final match, Collins overcame Victoria Azarenka in a convincing fashion, winning 6-4 6-3 to set up a semi-final clash with Sabalenka. Collins, who announced her retirement earlier this year, has been in great form recently and is aiming to end her career on a high note.
Collins’ victory means that two Americans, including Coco Gauff, have reached the semi-finals at the tournament, marking the first time since 2016 that this has happened. Sabalenka holds a commanding 5-0 head-to-head record against Collins, including a win in their previous encounter in Madrid last month.
In the other semi-final, Gauff will face World No 1 Iga Swiatek, who has been in dominant form and has yet to drop a set in the tournament. Swiatek holds a significant head-to-head advantage over Gauff, and is the favorite going into the match.
The stage is set for an exciting semi-final lineup at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, with Sabalenka taking on Collins and Gauff facing Swiatek in what promises to be a thrilling day of tennis action.
