Liudmila Samsonova of Russia won her first title of 2024 on a long Sunday that required her to win two three-set matches to lift the trophy at the Libema Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
In the final, the second-seeded Samsonova came from behind to beat Canada’s Bianca Andreescu 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. It was the fifth WTA Tour title for Samsonova — her second on grass courts and first since Berlin in 2021.
While Andreescu was able to complete her semifinal win over Dalma Galfi of Hungary on Saturday, Samsonova’s match against third-seeded Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova was suspended due to rain, tied at a set apiece.
Samsonova needed just 32 minutes Sunday to win the final set and take the 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-1 win before facing Andreescu in the final.
While Andreescu jumped out to the early lead in the first set, Samsonova roared back in the second by taking a 3-0 lead. In the deciding set, Andreescu required a medical timeout to have tape applied to her upper left leg.
Samsonova had 36 winners in the match compared to 18 for Andreescu.
Rothesay Open
No. 3 seed Katie Boulter defended her title on home turf by winning two matches on Sunday in Nottingham, England.
Boulter rallied to defeat countrywoman Emma Raducanu in the resumption of their suspended semifinal on Saturday. Raducanu won the lengthy first set Saturday but Boulter completed a 6-7 (13), 6-3, 6-4 victory Sunday.
That put her into the title match against Czech No. 6 seed Karolina Pliskova, who overcame a tough first-set tiebreaker of her own in her 6-7 (11), 6-1, 6-4 semifinal win over France’s Diane Parry.
Boulter defeated Pliskova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final, which lasted one hour and 53 minutes. Boulter hit eight aces with two double faults while Pliskova managed just three aces with seven double faults. Boulter also finished with a 31-21 edge in total winners.
