Liudmila Samsonova defeats Bianca Andreescu to win Libema Open

Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova defeated Canada’s Bianca Andreescu to lift the Libema Open s-Hertogenbosch. The 25-year-old secured the title with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Andreescu came into the final after beating Dalma Galfi in the last-four clash in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Her opponent got the better of Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semifinal with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 to cement her place in the grand finale.

Andreescu won the first set with a score of 6-4. She won 75 percent points on the first serve which was considerably higher than her opponent who managed to win just 61.1 percent points. She converted three break points as well. In the second set, Samsonova managed to bounce back in an incredible manner as she won the set with a score of 6-3. She converted two break points.

In the third set, both players gave their all and kept the fans involved till the final minute. By the ninth game of the set, it seemed that Andreescu was well on her way to clinch the title as she was serving for the match. However, Samsonova had other ideas as she not only broke back the serve but went on to win three consecutive games to clinch the set with a score of 7-5 and secured the title as well.

Andreescu will be very satisfied with her performance throughout the competition as not only she managed to play in the final of an event, but she also defeated some notable players in the process. The most notable of those performances for the 24-year-old came in the quarterfinal stage where she defeated the former world number one Naomi Osaka with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

On the other hand, Samsonova will be extremely pleased with her performance as she lifted her first WTA title. Overall, the Olenegorsk-born star is having a decent season. Before her success in the Libema Open, she played in the semifinals of the Strasbourg and Abu Dhabi Opens, but on both occasions, she ended up losing.