Samsonova Liudmila vs Starodubtseva Yuliia

Wimbledon – Samsonova Liudmila vs Starodubtseva Yuliia

🧠 Form & Context

Liudmila Samsonova

• 🎯 Peaking on time: The Russian has gone 10–3 in her last four tournaments, including a final in Strasbourg, a fourth round at Roland-Garros, and a semifinal in Berlin.
• 💣 Grass tools: Her flat, aggressive baseline game and booming serve are ideal for the surface. She owns 32 career grass wins and reached Wimbledon’s last 16 in 2021.
• 🧱 Easy opener: Dismissed Eastbourne champ Maya Joint 6–3, 6–2 in R1 without facing a break point—her sixth career win at SW19.
• ⚠️ Revenge angle: Let slip a set-and-a-break lead vs. Starodubtseva in Madrid and lost the final set 0–6. She’ll be keen to erase that collapse.

Yuliia Starodubtseva

• 📈 Breakthrough season: Broke into the top 70 after consistent Slam progress—R3 in Paris with wins over Potapova and Korpatsch. Now chasing her first R3 at Wimbledon.
• 🚨 Grass swing woes: Entered Wimbledon 1–3 on grass this year, losing in the qualifying rounds at Nottingham, Ilkley, and Bad Homburg.
• 🔥 R1 comeback: After dropping the first set 1–6 to Francesca Jones, she stormed back 6–3, 6–1, using smart return adjustments and baseline depth.
• 🔮 H2H insight: Beat Samsonova in Madrid on clay (2–6, 7–6, 6–0), despite trailing by a set and a break. That was just her second career win over a top-20 player.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a true grass-court clash of styles. Samsonova brings firepower, confidence, and far more experience on the surface. Her ability to win cheap points on serve and attack early in rallies could smother Starodubtseva’s rhythm.

While the Ukrainian showed impressive tactical resilience in R1, she has yet to prove herself against top-tier grass-court opposition. Her clay-court win over Samsonova offers a psychological edge, but the conditions here are a different world. Extended rallies and defensive depth won’t yield the same rewards on grass.

The big factor? Samsonova’s underrated return game. If she starts well and breaks early, the match could tilt fast. Starodubtseva must absorb pace and keep points neutralized early—but that’s easier said than done on this surface against someone like Samsonova.

🔮 Prediction

Samsonova’s current form, surface advantage, and revenge motivation all point one way. Starodubtseva is gritty and resourceful but likely outgunned here. Expect the Russian to dominate with first-strike tennis and advance in straights—though an early scare can’t be ruled out if nerves creep in.

Pick:

Liudmila Samsonova to win in straight sets