Unseeded American Danielle Collins captured the biggest title of her career, triumphing at the Miami Open by toppling Elena Rybakina 7-5 6-3 in a thrilling final.

Collins, 30, battled hard for just over two hours to seal her third career WTA singles title, her maiden WTA 1000 title, and her first title at any level since 2021 in a fairy-tale ending to her first Masters final in her last year on tour.

The 30-year-old, who grew up in St Petersburg near Tampa, delighted the partisan home crowd as she produced a determined display to see off former Wimbledon champion Rybakina before breaking down in tears.

“I have worked so hard and it has taken a lot longer than a lot of the players on the tour,” Collins said in her courtside interview with Sky Sports Tennis.

“Today was just surreal, coming out here and playing in front of so many people that were behind me. Having a whole stadium on my side was something so special – it is hard not to get emotional.

“It meant so much to me to get over this hurdle. It is just a really special moment.”

The opening set stayed on serve, with Collins saving three break points in the seventh game. The American then dug deep to fend off another break opportunity for Rybakina to hold again and lead 6-5.

Collins continued her momentum to force two set points in the next game, but could not convert.

A forehand into the net from Rybakina presented Collins another opportunity – which this time she took when the world number four sent a return long of the baseline, to the delight of the home crowd.

Rybakina was under pressure on her serve again early in the second set, with Collins dispatching a break point chance with a forehand crosscourt winner to move 2-0 ahead.

The Russian-born Kazakh, though, regrouped to immediately break back in the next game before a hold to love levelled the set up again at 2-2.

Collins eventually took what was an error-strewn seventh game from both players to lead 4-3 – which again got the crowd fired up.

The home fans were soon back on their feet as Collins forced home another break chance when Rybakina sent a return long which left her serving for the title.

Collins, though, struggled to finish off Rybakina, who forced a break chance before the American failed to take three championship points – but she eventually found a backhand winner to deliver the biggest title of her career.

Navratilova: Collins win is karma

“Today could have gone differently… facing all of those break points in the second set,” tennis legend Martina Navratilova told Sky Sports Tennis.

“But she held her nerves so beautifully. Mentally and emotionally, to keep it together… kudos to her, because she hasn’t been in that position that many times.

“It was like karma. I said before that if there is a tennis god, she should win this tournament.

“What she has gone through to get here, to persevere and finally get the payoff is sweet.”

Broady: Utter relief is the overwhelming emotion

“I think she’s in shock. Utter relief I think is the overwhelming emotion. She has managed to get herself across the finish line,” said Naomi Broady.

“Rybakina didn’t play poorly today, though she’ll be disappointed not to take more of her break point chances. Her backhand let her down at times.

“But you’ve got to give credit where it’s due: what a tournament Collins has played and what a fairy tale ending to her career this is becoming.”

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