Liudmila Samsonova, the enigmatic Russian-born Italian tennis star, has long puzzled observers with her inconsistent performances. Despite possessing exceptional ball-striking abilities and all-court prowess, she has struggled to maintain consistency, often falling short in the early rounds of major tournaments.
However, as the 2024 US Open unfolds, Samsonova appears to be on the cusp of a breakthrough. She has reached the fourth round, where she will face world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, and her recent performances suggest that she has finally found the mental fortitude to match her technical brilliance.
Samsonova attributes her newfound confidence to a shift in mindset. She has realized the importance of managing pressure, both external and internal, and has vowed to fight until the last point. This determination was evident in her hard-fought second-round victory over Marie Bouzkova, where she rallied from a set and 5-2 deficit.
“I don’t know how I won that match,” Samsonova said. “But I felt like I could do it. I felt like, ’til the end, I will try to do my best because I felt I had the chance to win even if the score was really down.”
Samsonova’s mental growth was further tested in the third round against Ashlyn Kreuger. Despite the pro-American crowd, she shut out her opponent, allowing her just two games.
“I think playing against an American is crazy,” she exclaimed. “It’s better not to play one, but the energy is unbelievable, honestly.”
Samsonova’s journey to the second week of the US Open has been marked by a sense of kismet. She was initially projected to face Serena Williams in her final tournament, but Williams’ loss to Ajla Tomljanovic opened the door for Samsonova to make her Arthur Ashe Stadium debut against Swiatek.
“When I stepped on court here for the first time since Cincinnati, I said, ‘Ah, I like these conditions,'” Samsonova said. “I like the ball with the courts, so I was feeling from the first practice that I could play my best game.”
With her newfound mental strength and affinity for the US Open conditions, Samsonova is poised to make a deep run in the tournament. She may not have the same level of experience as Swiatek, but she has the talent and determination to challenge the world’s best.
