Danielle Collins’ North American hard-court campaign took another hit at the Cincinnati Open, where she fell in straight sets to compatriot Taylor Townsend. Her emotional outburst and the following moments grabbed headlines during the match, adding to the growing concern over her recent slump.
Collins has found victories hard to come by in the past couple of months. She has cleared the second round just once since the 2025 French Open, at Wimbledon, where she fell to eventual champion Iga Świątek.
Danielle Collins Bursts Into Tears and Vents Frustration During Canadian Open 1R
The North American swing brought no change in fortunes. She was ousted in the first round in Washington, DC, reached the second round in Montreal, and then headed to the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati.
Townsend secured the opening set 6-4, while Collins battled harder in the second to take it to a tie-break. Facing a 2-0 deficit in the breaker, the 31-year-old looked to her team box and, seemingly frustrated, shouted:
“Why is this happening to me?”
Overcome by emotion, the American’s sobs could be heard in the pin-drop silence that fell over the crowd at the Grandstand.
Don’t have a good feed clip, but here is Danielle Collins becoming VERY upset in the middle of the tiebreak.
Legit thought something horrible had happened. https://t.co/kmWiKr2fk5 pic.twitter.com/oSl7ekfQ3g
— Tick Tock Tennis (@TickTockTennis) August 8, 2025
With a 7-6(2) victory in the second set, Townsend booked her spot in the second round. Collins shared a handshake and warm hug with her at the net, then left the court without her bag, having first appeared to give Townsend some instructions, to which the latter listened closely.
The American was reportedly unwell during the match, possibly triggering her emotional outburst. Subsequently, in a gracious gesture, Townsend carried Collins’ bag and delivered it to her team.
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After Win Over Collins, Taylor Townsend Will Face Liudmila Samsonova in Canadian Open 2R
Liudmila Samsonova has entered the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati as a 13th seed, thus getting a direct entry into the second round. The 26-year-old will face Townsend, who recently ousted home hope Collins in the first round.
The second-round clash in Cincinnati will be the first meeting between the two. Despite being seeded, the Russian could face a stern challenge from the American, who has impressed in singles on the North American swing, reaching the quarterfinals at the Mubadala DC Citi Open and now making steady progress in Cincinnati.
The winner will face either 21st seed Leylah Fernandez or Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the third round.
