Danielle Collins Aims to Defend Title at WTA Charleston Open

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Danielle Collins will begin her title defense at the WTA 500 Charleston Open on Tuesday against fellow American Robin Montgomery in the round of 32. The match is set to start at 6:00 PM ET at the Family Circle Tennis Center.

Collins, who won the tournament last year, earned a bye to the second round after being eliminated early at both the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments. The Florida native lost in the second round at Indian Wells to Elena Svitolina and then was knocked out by world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the third round of the Miami Open.

Montgomery, a promising young player, enters the match following a solid first-round performance where she secured a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Viktoriya Tomova. Despite being less experienced on the clay surface, she created six break points and converted six of 11, showcasing a powerful serve with six aces during the match.

“I feel confident going into my next match,” Montgomery said. “I know that Collins is a tough competitor, but I’ve been working hard on my game and I’m ready for the challenge.”

Based on the latest data and simulations conducted by Stats Insider, Collins is favored to win with a 76% probability. This prediction considers her extensive experience and past success on clay, including her title win last year in Charleston.

“Danielle has the advantage of experience and a proven track record on this surface,” said Greg Butyn, a data analyst from Dimers. “Her consistent performance makes her the clear favorite against Montgomery, but anything can happen in tennis.”

The odds currently reflect Collins as the heavy favorite, with odds listed at -303 for a straight win and -227 to win the first set. Meanwhile, Montgomery’s odds stand at +240 to win outright and +175 to claim the first set.

In a deeper analysis of their potential matchup, Collins has a career total of two WTA titles on clay, indicating her familiarity and comfort on the surface. In contrast, Montgomery will face her first significant test against the defending champion.

Tennis fans can expect high-quality performances from both players, but Collins’ experience and skill level should prove to be difficult hurdles for Montgomery to overcome. The anticipation builds as the two athletes prepare to take the court in this exciting match at the Charleston Open.