Collins tops Rybakina to claim Miami title in farewell season

American Danielle Collins, who announced in January that she would quit tennis this year, overcame fourth seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan to win the Miami Open final 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday and claim the title on home soil in her farewell season.

"This is my first WTA 1000 (title), and I worked so hard. It has taken me a bit longer than a lot of the other players," said the 30-year-old.

"This whole week has been tough. I have played against some of the best players in the world, including being out here and sharing the court with Elena in the final.

"Thank you to the fans. I've played a lot of tennis and in a few finals, but nothing compares close to this," she added. 

Collins is the sixth American woman to claim the crown in Miami, joining Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, three-time champion Venus Williams, eight-time winner Serena Williams, and Sloane Stephens.

The 2022 Australian Open runner-up relied on her strength to hold the lead at the start, converting break points against Rybakina, who kept leveling the score, before closing out the opening set with a stunning cross-court backhand winner on the hour mark.

Rybakina refused to go quietly after her opponent took a 2-0 lead in the second set and worked her way back, capitalizing on unforced errors to draw level at 3-3.

However, Collins regained the advantage after saving three break points to take the seventh game. The former Wimbledon champion never recovered.

Rybakina missed Indian Wells earlier this month with a gastrointestinal problem. She returned to the courts in Miami with a superb run, beating Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in three sets in the semifinals. However, she confessed that she did not expect to fight for the title.

"We didn't expect coming here to be in the final, to be honest, but it was a great two weeks. A lot of tough matches and great battles," she said.

(With input from Reuters)