In terms of persona, this match could have been promoted as “Fire & Ice”. What I mean by that is that Osaka continues to display a low-key image, while Collins makes bold statements, declaring that she fears no one. Other contrasting factors are age, education (Collins attended UVA) and tour experience, where the younger, Osaka, has the upper hand.
The first set was highly competitive, with the players exchanging holds and breaks to 4-4. In the fifth game, the 25th-ranked Collins defended a 14-point challenge to hold. In the ninth game, Collins gave Osaka an opening with two doubles faults and at least “partial credit” is due to the Japenese who executed returns with interest.