By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday June 16, 2024

Liudmila Samsonova claimed her fifth WTA title – and second on grass – on Sunday in the Netherlands, edging Bianca Andreescu in a hard-fought battle, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.



The 25-year-old Russian thus survives double duty, after snapping the run of defending two-time defending champion Ekaterina Alexandrova in a semifinal that was held over due to weather and darkness on Saturday night.

It was a riveting clash from start to finish, with 228th-ranked Andreescu pushing herself to try to claim her first WTA title since 2019, while also bothered by a left thigh injury that saw her go off court for a medical timeout after the second set.

After splitting sets Samsonova had control of the decider, leading 4-2, but Andreescu kicked back with a break for 4-all and moved in front by 5-4 in the ninth game.

The Toronto was just three points from victory after winning the first point of Samsonova’s next service game, but the Russian doubled down from there, winning 12 of the final 13 points to lock up the victory in two hours and 34 minutes.

Samsonova improves to 1-1 lifetime against Andreescu, and 5-3 in ATP finals.

Andreescu drops to 3-4 in WTA finals, and 6-2 overall on the season.

Though disappointed, the Canadian took solace in the fact that her comeback from her nine-month injury hiatus due to a back injury is just beginning.

“Definitely not the trophy I wanted today,” Andreescu said. “Liudmila you played amazing tennis throughout. It was meant to be for you.

“For me I definitely feel like this is a step forward. I’ve been through a lot for quite some time, especially the last ten months. This is only my second tournament back – obviously it’s upsetting but I know that there are good things coming for me.”