LiudmilaSamsonova

Liudmila Samsonova’s Mental Breakthrough Fuels US Open Hopes

By Nilay September 2, 2024 0

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.

Categories: Tennis

Swiatek Cruises into US Open Fourth Round, Faces Samsonova Next

By Nilay September 1, 2024 0

World number one Iga Swiatek continued her dominant run at the US Open, cruising into the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday. The Polish star, who has won five titles this year including the French Open, faced a stern test against the experienced Russian, but ultimately proved too strong.

Swiatek, who won the US Open title in 2022, broke Pavlyuchenkova in the opening game and raced to a 3-1 lead. However, the former French Open runner-up fought back to stay in contention, holding serve in a tense four-deuce game to pull within 4-3.

Undeterred, Swiatek regained control of the set, serving out the first set with a love game without facing a break point. The second set was even more one-sided, as Swiatek broke Pavlyuchenkova at love for a 2-1 lead and never looked back.

Pavlyuchenkova, who had lost 6-0, 6-0 to Swiatek in their only prior meeting on the Rome clay last year, showed flashes of her best tennis but was unable to sustain her challenge. Swiatek’s superior power and consistency proved too much for the Russian, who was forced to bow out in the third round.

Swiatek will now face 16th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova of Russia for a place in the quarter-finals. Samsonova, who reached the fourth round of the US Open last year, has been in impressive form this season, winning the Washington Open title and reaching the semi-finals of the Canadian Open.

The match between Swiatek and Samsonova promises to be a fascinating clash of styles. Swiatek is known for her aggressive baseline play and powerful forehand, while Samsonova is a more versatile player who can mix up her game with slices, drop shots, and angles.

Categories: Tennis

Osaka’s Clay-Court Woes Continue in Madrid Exit

By Nilay April 25, 2024 0

Naomi Osaka’s struggles on clay continue as she bows out of the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open in the second round, succumbing to Liudmila Samsonova in a hard-fought three-set battle. The former world No. 1 has not won consecutive matches on the surface since 2019, and despite a promising start in Madrid, she fell short against the 15th-seeded Samsonova, who snapped a four-match losing streak.

Osaka, known for her dominance on hard courts, has been determined to prove her mettle on slower surfaces this season. She kicked off her clay-court campaign early at the Open Capfinances Rouen Métropole, but lost in the first round. However, her strong performance in Madrid, where she defeated Greet Minnen in straight sets, suggested progress.

The unseeded Osaka faced a tough draw in Madrid, which pitted her against Samsonova, whom she had beaten on hard courts at the BNP Paribas Open last month. Samsonova, too, has excelled on hard courts, reaching two WTA 1000 finals last season. However, she had been struggling for form since February, losing her last four matches heading into Madrid.

The match began with a lightning-fast start from Samsonova, who raced through the first four games as Osaka struggled to find her rhythm. Osaka managed to get on the board, but Samsonova remained unfazed, taking the first set with a love service hold.

Samsonova continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Osaka to open and edging ahead 4-2. However, Osaka rallied, winning four consecutive games to level the match at one set apiece. Samsonova double faulted on a third set point, handing Osaka the advantage.

The decider was a tense affair, with both players exchanging breaks early on. Osaka saved break points in two service games and came within a game of victory. However, Samsonova fought back, breaking Osaka and serving to stay in the match. She then converted a backhand miss from Osaka to break again and clinch the victory.

Samsonova will now face Madison Keys in the third round, who defeated Irina-Camelia Begu in two tiebreakers. Osaka’s exit from Madrid marks another setback in her quest to conquer clay, but she will have another chance to prove herself at the upcoming French Open.

Categories: Tennis

Naomi Osaka Regains Form, Faces Samsonova Test at Indian Wells

By Nilay March 9, 2024 0

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has shown signs of regaining her form at the Indian Wells tournament. After an easy victory over Sara Errani in her first match, Osaka faces a tougher challenge in Liudmila Samsonova in the second round.

Osaka’s recent resurgence has been marked by three wins in her last four matches, including a narrow loss to Karolina Pliskova in which both sets went into tiebreakers. Despite the loss, Osaka displayed a strong performance, suggesting that she is close to rediscovering her best tennis.

In her upcoming match against Samsonova, Osaka will face a different type of opponent. Samsonova is known for her powerful serve, but Osaka’s return game should be more effective on the slower courts at Indian Wells. The surface will also favor Osaka’s baseline play, as her movement has been a weakness in recent years.

Samsonova, on the other hand, has struggled for form lately, losing three of her last four matches. She is also not particularly adept on clay-like surfaces, which the Indian Wells courts resemble.

Osaka’s commitment to improving her game is evident, and she is determined to make a statement in the desert. With her power and experience, she is well-positioned to overcome Samsonova and continue her resurgence.

Categories: Tennis

Naomi Osaka Wins in Indian Wells Return

By Nilay March 8, 2024 0

Naomi Osaka’s triumphant return to the BNP Paribas Open continued on Thursday as she defeated Sara Errani in straight sets to reach the second round. The former world No. 1, who is playing her fifth tournament since giving birth to daughter Shai last year, is starting to find her form after a 16-month break.

Osaka, who arrived at Indian Wells unseeded, started slowly against Errani, a former world No. 5. The Italian twice led by a break in the opening set, but Osaka soon found her rhythm and reeled off four straight games to take the set.

Errani continued to push in the second set, but Osaka was too strong and broke serve three times to win the set 6-1. The match lasted just one hour and nine minutes, with Osaka hitting seven aces and breaking serve five times.

Up next for Osaka is No. 14 seed Liudmila Samsonova, who received a bye into the second round. The two will be facing off for the first time, with Samsonova having enjoyed a similarly up-and-down start to her 2024 season.

Osaka’s victory is a sign that she is starting to return to her best form. The 26-year-old is a four-time Grand Slam champion and is one of the most marketable athletes in the world. Her return to the top of the game would be a major boost for women’s tennis.

Categories: Tennis