Elena Rybakina claims first title of season at WTA 500 Strasbourg 2025

Elena Rybakina has secured her first title of the season at the WTA 500Interntationaux de Strasbourg 2025, overcoming Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-1. Samsonova was a formidable opponent for Rybakina, holding a negative 1-4 head-to-head record against the Russian, although all previous encounters were on hardcourts.

The Kazakh returns to Roland Garros with renewed confidence after a performance marked by errors from both sides, but which the Kazakh knew how to capitalize on in crucial moments. For now, this victory helps her add a good number of points, leaving her as world No. 11, still with a significant points defense ahead at the French Open, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2024.

Both players successfully defended their first service games, but Rybakina began facing difficulties as early as the third game. The former Wimbledon champion had to save a break point against her but managed to pull ahead to lead 2-1. The Kazakh then secured the break amidst her opponent's errors, in a match that hadn't quite taken shape, with unforced errors from both sides.

Rybakina looked strong, winning 70% of points on her first serve in the first set, but struggled more on her second serve. At 3-1, Rybakina had to save another break point against her and showed composure to maintain her lead.

Just when everything seemed highly contested, the Kazakh accelerated and took two more consecutive games – totaling five in a row – closing the set 6-1. The former No. 3 didn't play her best level, but she better exploited her opponent's errors at key moments.

The second set began with the Kazakh securing a break to lead 2-1, but minutes later, a double fault from Rybakina gave Samsonova a new break chance. The Russian got the break after an unforced error from Rybakina, who struggled to maintain long rallies.

Samsonova delivered a surprise by converting another opportunity in the eighth game to lead 5-3, with the chance to serve for the set. However, 'The Ice Queen' recovered and broke back. With the score at 6-5 in favor of Samsonova and her serving, she had three set points, but Rybakina pushed and forced a tie-break. It proved little consolation, as a convincing Samsonova displayed her best tennis of the match so far, winning the tie-break 7-6(2).

The third set started perfectly for Rybakina, who quickly left the second set behind and won 12 of the first 14 points played, surging to a 3-0 lead. Samsonova managed to defend her service game, but could do little else in the match.

Rybakina regained control of the proceedings, held a challenging service game, and secured a second break of the set on her first chance, extending her lead to 5-1 without difficulty. The Kazakh had the responsibility on her serve and this time did not falter. She held her serve and closed out a convincing 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-1 victory, winning her first title of the season. The Kazakh earns 500 points, climbs to world No. 11, and will arrive at the French Open with confidence, where she will debut on Monday against Julia Riera.