In Rome, Collins is still unstoppable: "I can still feel the fire in my stomach".

The WTA tour is being swept along by a veritable hurricane. Ever since she announced she wouldn't be playing after 2024, Collins has been simply irresistible. On Wednesday, the American notched up her 32nd win of the season, 19th in 20 matches, against Victoria Azarenka. Up against a player she knows well, the current world No.15 played her tennis with the utmost seriousness to qualify for the semi-finals (6-4, 6-3 in 1h44).

Bluffing with realism, the American managed this first and most difficult match of her tournament very well. Although she hadn't been tested much until then, she responded perfectly to Azarenka's first test. Clearly very satisfied, the 30-year-old declared after the match: "I can still feel the fire in my stomach. I didn't want to lose this match under any circumstances. I wanted to reach the semi-finals with all my might. Maybe that's what pushed me to put out one of my best versions on the court."

Ranked 4th in the world (based solely on results for the current year), there's not much standing in her way at the moment. This Thursday, she will challenge Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final of the Roman tournament. The stakes are twofold for Collins: not only can she take revenge on the only player to have beaten her since her defeat in Indian Wells, but above all she can return to the top 10 for the first time since 2022.

Asked about this string of incredible performances, the Miami tournament winner replied with great simplicity: "I don't feel any different as a person. I'm simply focused on evolving, on taking things one step at a time, on constantly building. Sometimes rankings or results aren't a reflection of your work, but I'm currently in a good period, as evidenced by the victories I've won in some very tough matches."