Tuesday Lineup Features Defending Champ Collins, Keys
COLLINS: ‘NOT EVERY WEEK HAS THE SAME VIBE AS HERE’
Defending champion Danielle Collins, reigning Australian Open titlist Madison Keys and former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari are among the players scheduled to kick off their 2025 Credit One Charleston Open campaigns on Tuesday at LTP-Daniel Island.
Keys’ appearance comes just two months after her Grand Slam breakthrough in Melbourne, and four months after she married longtime partner and coach Bjorn Fratangelo right here in Charleston.
“I always really love playing in Charleston. It’s one of my favorite places to play,” said Keys earlier this month in Indian Wells. “I think the facility is phenomenal, but I just think the fans in Charleston, they’re so fun and excited to be there. I think I played my first time there when I was 14 or 15, and it’s just lots of really great people.”
Keys, the 2019 champion, will face fellow American Caroline Dolehide, against whom she is 2-0.
The seventh seeded Collins, who last year won Miami and Charleston back-to-back, will open the evening session against compatriot Robin Montgomery.
“Not every week has the same vibe as here,” said Collins, 31. “We appreciate this tournament and this week so much. Across the board, this is a week people really look forward to. I know all the players talk so highly about this event and just love coming here. It’s always a player favorite. I wish there were a way to have this tournament for two or three months.”
A semifinalist here last year (l. to Collins, 6-3, 6-3), Greece’s Sakkari is seeking her first title since winning the WTA 1000 event in Guadalajara in 2023. She will open the day session (11 a.m.) in Credit One Stadium against wildcard Marina Stakusic of Canada.
