WTA Strasbourg Final: Liudmila Samsonova vs Elena Rybakina

WTA Strasbourg Final: Liudmila Samsonova vs Elena Rybakina

🧠 Form & Context

🇷🇺 Liudmila Samsonova

• 🔓 Breakthrough Moment: Into her first-ever clay-court final after a dominant 6–4, 6–2 win over Danielle Collins.
• 🌪️ Turnaround Week: Came into Strasbourg with only one win since Indian Wells and eight first-round losses in her last 14 events.
• 🔥 Revival Mode: Wins over Nosková, Badosa (in 3 sets), and Collins—her third career top-20 win on clay, second in Strasbourg.
• 🧱 Final Hurdle History: Holds a 5–3 record in finals, though had lost three straight before claiming the 's-Hertogenbosch 2024 title vs Andreescu.
• 🧠 Mental Note: Lost in the 2023 Strasbourg semifinals to eventual champion Madison Keys—redemption in sight.

🇰🇿 Elena Rybakina

• 🧬 Consistent Threat: Into her second Strasbourg final, having finished runner-up here in 2020.
• 🎢 Battle-Hardened: Survived a three-set semifinal vs Haddad Maia—came back from 0–2 down in the third and saved a set point in the opening tiebreak.
• 📉 Mid-Swing Wobble: Lost in R3 of both Madrid and Rome, but bounced back with straight-set wins over Wang and Linette in Strasbourg.
• 🏆 Clay Cred: Owns a 3–1 record in clay finals, including a WTA 1000 title in Rome (2023); 8–11 overall in championship matches.
• 👑 Experience Edge: Former world No. 3 and Grand Slam champion—brings power, poise, and match toughness to every big stage.

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