Citi Open 2024: Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Paula Badosa vs (3) Liudmila Samsonova
Date: August 1, 2024
Tournament: Mubadala Citi DC Open
Round: Third round (Round of 16)
Venue: Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, Washington DC
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $368,585
Live Telecast: Tennis Channel (USA) | TSN (Canada) | Sky Sports (UK)
Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova preview
Paula Badosa will take on third seed Liudmila Samsonova in the second round of the Citi Open on Thursday, August 1. The winner of the match will take on Emma Raducanu in the quarterfinals.
Badosa has won 17 out of 30 matches so far in 2024, making a promising run to the fourth round of Wimbledon. She beat Karolina Muchova, Brenda Fruhvirtova and Daria Kasatkina before losing to eventual semifinalist Donna Vekic.
Badosa had a fine start to the Citi Open, as she beat Sofia Kenin 6-1, 7-6(8) in the opening round.
Liudmila Samsonova hasn't had the best of seasons in 2024 either, winning 19 out of 36 matches so far, with her best performance being winning the Libema Open.
The Russian reached the third round of Wimbledon before suffering a defeat to Anna Kalinskaya. She then competed at the Citi Open in Washington and received a walkover to the second round by virtue of being among the top four seeds.
Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova head-to-head
Samsonova currently leads 3-0 in the head-to-head between the two. Their last encounter came in the first round of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships, with the Russian winning 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 6-4.
Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova odds
All odds sourced by BETMGM.
Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova prediction
Neither player has had a particularly impressive season in 2024. However, we could have an intense battle on our hands if they're at their best.
Badosa served 11 aces in her match against Kenin and will look to fetch as many free points as she can against Samsonova. The Spaniard is a powerful hitter and will be eager to be aggressive from the start. Fitness might be the only issue for Badosa, something that has troubled her for a while.
Samsonova is among the best servers on the WTA Tour and will look to make the most of her service games. The Russian, like Badosa, is also an aggressive player but she will have to be careful not to overhit her shots.
While both players are tenacious, Badosa is perhaps better at defending and that might see her just about come out on top.
Pick: Badosa in three sets.