Credit One Bank Invitational
Anisimova returned with a vengeance. When play was suspended Tuesday night, the 2019 French Open semifinalist trailed Collins 4-1. On Wednesday, she took six of the first seven games to effectively win 6-1, 6-4.
The difference? Anisimova's return game. She caught Collins off guard right away on Day 2, breaking twice before Collins could stabilize with her serve. But by that point a tone had been set, one that wouldn't change even as Collins settled into this two-part match. Collins bested Anisimova at the UTR Pro Match Series in West Palm Beach, Fla., but Anisimova—whose play in her home state was subpar, even considering the lengthy layoff—turned the tide in a big way on Wednesday.
"Once I got out there I kind of calmed my rhythm and was going for my shots more," said Anisimova. "I was definitely nervous yesterday because, you know, I didn't want to let my team down, and I'm playing for them too."
Anisimova saved some of her biggest returns for last. At 4-4 in the second, Collins took a 15-0 lead, but then had consecutive serves returned for winners. Another big Anisimova return helped earn her the final break she'd need to close out the contest.