ROME — Iga Świątek ’s struggles continue, at one of the last places anyone in tennis would have expected. Świątek, a master of clay-court tennis and defending champion at the Italian Open, lost to American Danielle Collins in the second round, falling 6-1, 7-5.

It is strange to see a five-time grand slam champion struggle not with her game but with her mentality on the court

Holder Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Italian Open to American Danielle Collins after a 6-1 7-5 third-round loss on Saturday in a major upset that will cost the Pole the world number two ranking as the defence of her French Open title looms.