It’s looking a bit tough for Danielle since reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open. One would think that she would carry that momentum into the next set of tournaments, and especially those as important as Indian Wells and Miami. Unfortunately, it was not to be. She was upset in her first match after the Australian Open by Azarenka in Acapulco, and then upset in the third round at both Indian Wells and Miami. Granted, at Indian Wells she lost to World Number 1 Osaka. However, since parting with her coach after the Australian Open, Osaka is not playing great. Also, she was pretty much destroyed by Azarenka in Acapulco. As the number 2 seed she lost 6-1, 6-2. She looked flat throughout, and a shadow of the player that looked energetic and aggressive throughout the Australian Open.

So what gives? I would like to imagine that this is just a hiccup. What I saw from Danielle Collins at the Australian Open was no fluke. She went through numerous tough players on her way to the semis, only to lose to arguably the second-best player in the world, Kvitova, in two tough sets. Also, you can argue that at both Indian Wells and Miami she lived up to her seeding by reaching the third round.

Let’s see what Danielle can do in the clay courts. However, I would more likely bet on her on the grass and hardcourts later in the summer. Also, her ranking points should be enough to get her in main draws throughout the rest of the year. This should be good news for her. I really hope she lives up to the billing she showed at the Australian Open – she’s a feisty competitor that can play lights out tennis when she gets in the zone. Who doesn’t like that?