Collins keeps winning, through to semi-finals in Charleston

American Danielle Collins won against Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 11 seed, 6-3, 6-4 to move into the semi-finals of the Charleston Open at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Friday night.

Collins is now on an 11-match winning streak, and has won 22 of the last 23 sets she’s played. She also moves to No 19 in the live rankings following the victory.

Speaking after the match, the American said she’s trying to channel her inner animal on the court, and the artist Deff Leppard is helping her.

“There’s a song by Deff Leopard called ‘Animal’… and I’m Danimal,” Collins said. “I love that song. It’s my theme song. I’m glad they played it at the end of the match. I try to play like an animal. I think rock and roll when I go on the court.”

Collins, ranked No 22, will play the winner of the match between Russian Veronika Kudermetova, the No 9 seed, and Greek Maria Sakkari, the No 3 seed, next.

Ahead of her victory, the American defeated Spaniard Paula Badosa (6-1, 6-4), Tunisian Ons Jabeur, the second seed (6-3, 1-6, 6-3) and Sloane Stephens (6-2, 6-2).

Mertens, ranked No 30, won against French qualifier Varvara Gracheva (6-4, 3-6, 6-2) and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the No 7 seed (6-4, 6-1) earlier in the tournament.

Charleston WTA 500, other last eight results (Family Circle Tennis Center, clay, USD 922.573, most recent results first):

• Veronika Kudermetova vs. Maria Sakkari
• Jessica Pegula (1) beat Victoria Azarenka (12): 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7)
• Daria Kasatkina (4) beat Jaqueline Cristian: 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3