Qatar Open: Swiatek vs Collins Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Qatar Open as Iga Swiatek takes on Danielle Collins in the second round on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Is Iga Swiatek’s dominance over? The Pole has suffered two defeats already in the first month of the season. Could she fall victim to Danielle Collins’ firepower on Wednesday at the Qatar Open?

Iga Swiatek is still comfortably the WTA’s No.1. But recent results suggest the Polish star might face stiff competition this year to hold onto that mantle. With Aryna Sabalenka hot on her heels after winning her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, and Elena Rybakina on an upward trend, Swiatek faces her most challenging season yet. But before she can contemplate or worry about her challengers, she has a title to defend at the Qatar Open.

Danielle Collins, meanwhile, played her first-round match on Tuesday, beating Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens. Mertens’ path to the main draw was through three grueling rounds of qualifying and was clearly not fresh enough to mount a challenge against the hard-hitting Collins who recovered from an early break to win in straight sets, although the contest was competitive for the most part.

Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head. Collins famously beat the Pole in last year’s Australian Open semifinal before going on to lose the final to Ash Barty. Swiatek has since been a completely different player from the one Collins faced 12 months ago. Although it remains to be seen if Swiatek can reprise that winning streak from last year, she will have the tactical nous and athleticism to combat Collins’ power in this match at the Qatar Open.