Collins wins gruelling Mertens clash to reach Australian Open quarter-finals

MELBOURNE:

Danielle Collins

won a battle of attrition in scorching heat to overhaul

Elise Mertens

4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and book her second quarter-final at the

Australian Open

on Monday.


In a gruelling clash of former semi-finalists, the American 27th seed snatched the win with a barrage of power hitting as Mertens served to stay in the match.


Belgian Mertens saved two match points, the second with a gutsy second serve, but then surrendered meekly on the third with a double-fault.

Collins will play

Alize Cornet

for a place in the semi-finals. Cornet upset

Simona Halep

in brutal heat to make her first Grand Slam quarter-final on her 63rd attempt.