Iga Swiatek, despite initially struggling in her Australian Open match against Danielle Collins, managed a remarkable comeback to secure victory and extend her winning streak to 18 matches. The Polish world number one, who was up a set and a break, found herself trailing 4-1 in the deciding set before rallying to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Swiatek jokingly mentioned feeling mentally "at the airport" when things looked grim but expressed determination to fight until the end. She acknowledged the challenges posed by Collins's fast-paced play and emphasized the need to focus on her own performance.
"I wanted to fight until the end. I knew she played perfectly but it would be hard for anybody to keep that level, so I wanted to be ready for if the mistakes would come from the other side.", sait Swiatek.
The four-time Grand Slam champion will now face unseeded Czech player Linda Noskova in the third round.
In other matches, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud faced tough battles, both requiring fifth-set tie-breaks to secure victories. Zverev overcame a four-and-a-half-hour contest against qualifeir Lukas Klein on Margaret Court Arena, winning 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/7).
Zverev acknowledged being a spectator at times but was pleased with the win and will face Alex Michelsen in the next round. Meanwhile, Ruud triumphed in a deciding set against Max Purcell and is set to meet Cameron Norrie in the next round. The day at Melbourne Park was filled with dramatic moments, showcasing the resilience and determination of the players. /BGNES
