Wimbledon 2024: Danielle Collins' projected path to final ft. potential SF with Iga Swiatek
Danielle Collins comes into this year’s Wimbledon with no match practice on grass. That said, the American will be feeling confident about her chances given the year she has had. A two-time title winner in 2024, including one at the WTA 1000 level in Miami, Collins finds herself in the middle of a resurgence.
The American will be seeded 11th at this year’s tournament, which is set to be her last given her retirement plans. With that in mind, here’s a look at Collins’ projected path to the Wimbledon final.
Danielle Collins' Wimbledon first round opponent - Clara Tauson
Danielle Collins will open her campaign against fellow big-hitter Clara Tauson. The Dane did not have a great grass season, failing to win any matches, but has the sort of powerful game that does well on the surface.
Collins leads Tauson 2-0 in their head-to-head, but their last encounter was a tough three-set battle in the 2022 Australian Open third round.
Danielle Collins' second round opponent - Mayar Sherif
If Collins pulls through her opener, she is likely to run into Mayar Sherif. The Egyptian has to first find a way past qualifier Dalma Galfi in her first match.
Collins and Sherif have never crossed paths on the Tour before, so their current head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Danielle Collins' third round opponent - Beatriz Haddad Maia
The first seeded player on Collins’ prospective path at this year’s Wimbledon is Beatriz Haddad Maia.
A breakout star during last year’s grass swing, the Brazilian’s tricky left-handed serve could cause a few problems for the American.
Despite having been on the Tour for years during the same period, Collins and Sherif have never met each other in a competitive match before.
Danielle Collins' fourth round opponent - Wimbledon defeding champion Marketa Vondrousova
Collins could run into defending Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the fourth round. The Czech had surprised everyone by lifting the trophy at last year’s championships and has since solidified her spot in the top 10.
Fitness concerns, however, loom for Vondrousova as she recently retired from her match against Anna Kalinskaya in Berlin. She leads Collins in their head-to-head 3-0, but with the two having last encountered each other in 2022.
Danielle Collins' semifinal opponent - Iga Swiatek
Top seed and World No. 1 Iga Swiatek looms in the quarterfinals for Collins, who will need to be at her very best to take on the challenge.
Much like Collins, Swiatek has also not played any grasscourt tournaments this season and comes to Wimbledon straight from the French Open. She leads the American 6-1 in their head-to-head. Collins, however, beat her in the 2022 Australian Open semifinal in what was arguably the biggest win of her career.
Danielle Collins' final opponent - Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff anchors the bottom half of this year’s tournament as the second seed. She is also one of the favorites, on paper, to reach the final from this section of the draw and thus could be Collins’ opponent if she were to make the final.
Gauff’s only grasscourt run, at Berlin, was cut short by Jessica Pegula in the semifinal. Although good friends with her compatriot, she has never played against Collins before.