American tennis star Danielle Collins admits she was “a little embarrassed” when she prematurely celebrated victory in a third-set tie-break against Karolina Muchova in the second round.
Collins, who lost to Ash Barty in last year’s grand final, dropped the first set against Muchova 6-7 (1-7) before bouncing back to take the second 6-2.
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The pair then went the distance in the third set in a gripping battle, but it seems Collins forgot the rules in the heat of the moment.
After watching Muchova fire a shot wide to hand Collins a 7-3 lead in the tie-break, she dropped her racquet to the ground and held her arms aloft thinking she had secured the victory.
As the American made her way to the net to shake Muchova’s hand, she noticed her Czech rival had barely moved.
The umpire then reminded Collins that in final set tie-breaks at grand slams, 10 points are required for victory and not the usual seven.
Collins could only laugh at her mistake as the crowd enjoyed the brainfade.
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Muchova took advantage and brought the score back to 7-5, but Collins then stormed home to eventually take the third set tie-break 10-6 to secure the win.
Speaking after the clash, Collins conceded she’d never played a tie break in the final set at a grand slam and that she has a tendency to “forget” the score.
“I was a little embarrassed,” Collins said.
“I never had to play a tie break in the third set at a grand slam so I thought the match was over.
“I just told myself at least you didn’t face plant on the floor, I was trying to keep things in perspective.
“I am not good with the score, sometimes I forget. I need to work on that one a bit!”
Collins will now face No. 22 seed Elena Rybakina in the third round of the Australian Open.
