Liudmila Samsonova, world number 18, won against world number 4, Elena Rybakina, 2-1 sets, and will play for the title at the tournament in Canada.
Liudmila Samsonova comes back from a set down against Elena Rybakina to earn her spot in the Canadian Open final! 🇨🇦
Next up: Jessica Pegula for the 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0Dow3E6gNo
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 13, 2023
The Russian secured her place in the match for the trophy after a comeback victory against Rybakina – 1:6 6:1 6:2. To reach the final, Samsonova also eliminated Sabalenka and Bencic, and later today will have the chance to win the title in Montreal against world number 3 – Jessica Pegula.
2 – Liudmila Samsonova has defeated two top-5 opponents at the Canadian Open 2023 (Aryna Sabalenka #2 and Elena Rybakina #4) – more than in entire career prior to this tournament (one). Collecting.#OBN23 #NBO23 | @OBNmontreal @WTA_insider @WTA pic.twitter.com/HJS7q1ppKc
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 13, 2023
Liudmila played awfully in the 1st set, and Elena triumphed, giving her only 1 game. However, in the 2nd set, everything changed, and until the end of the semifinal, Samsonova dominated as she broke her opponent’s serve twice in the 2nd set and twice in the 3rd set to secure the victory and to play a historic first final in a WTA 1000 tournament in her career.
Liudmila Samsonova on beating Elena Rybakina to reach her first Masters final:
“At the beginning of the year, I said it would be a dream if I could make a final or even win a Masters one day.” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/JDZ1Osh2rm
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 13, 2023