World No 1 Swiatek survives Collins scare to advance to third round

Iga Swiatek survived a major scare to defeat Danielle Collins and reach the third round of the Australian Open, with the American announcing she would be retiring at the end of the season.

The world number one lost to Collins in the semi-finals in Melbourne two years ago and it appeared history was about to repeat itself when the American took a 4-1 lead in the deciding set under the roof on Rod Laver Arena.

But Swiatek responded with five games in a row to claim a 6-4 3-6 6-4 victory and set up a clash with Czech teenager Linda Noskova.

The 30-year-old American, who had a 4-1 lead in the deciding set, said she was sick of the travel and wanted to have a family.

"This is going to be my last season, actually, competing," Collins told reporters after racing off Rod Laver Arena and straight into her press conference.

"I don't really know exactly when, but this will be my last season and I'm really looking forward to that.

"I have other things that I'd like to accomplish in my life outside of tennis, and would like to be able to have the time to be able to do that. Obviously having kids is a big priority for me."

Her peak ranking of seventh in the world came in 2022 after she had beaten Swiatek in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park before going on to lose to Ash Barty in the final.

Swiatek was emotionally drained at the end of the contest,

"I was at the airport already," she said.

"I wanted to fight until the end. She played perfectly so I knew it would be hard for anybody to maintain that level. I waited for the mistakes to come. I'm really proud of myself because it wasn't easy."

The semi-final loss was the only one of five previous meetings with Collins that Swiatek had not won, and she lost only one game the last time they faced