Rybakina defeated Samsonova in three sets, while Strasbourg won their first title of the season

On the evening of May 24, Beijing time, the WTA 500 Strasbourg station came to an end, and the No. 4 seed and Kazakhstan star Rybakina and the No. 8 seed Samsonova staged a three-set battle with ups and downs. In the end, Rybakina won 6-1 6-7(2) 6-1 to lift her ninth career singles title on tour, her second win in Stuttgart in 2024 and the perfect warm-up for the upcoming French Open.

From the start of the game, Rybakina showed the dominance of the top players. With her strong serve and precise baseline attack, she quickly controlled the tempo on the court. Samsonova clearly failed to adapt to her opponent's attack, with a low first-serve success rate and more unforced errors in the first set. Rybakina seized the opportunity and won back-to-back breaks to easily take the first set 6-1 in just 25 minutes.

The key to Rybakina's win in this set was her strong serve and aggressive return. She repeatedly broke 180 kilometers per hour on her serve and used a wide angle to move Samsonova, making it difficult for her to stand on her feet. In addition, the Kazakh star's backhand straight line repeatedly worked, becoming a sharp weapon to tear through the opponent's defense.

Entering the second set, Samsonova gradually adjusted, improved the quality of her serve and the stability of her baseline, reduced unnecessary errors, and increased the proportion of topspin in the match, trying to disrupt Rybakina's attacking rhythm. This strategy has paid off, and the scores of the two sides are tight, and they fight all the way to the tie-break.

In the tie-break, Samsonova was more decisive, scoring consecutive points with volleys and backhand diagonals in front of the net, and finally won 7-2 to drag the match into the deciding set. Samsonova's key to winning the set was her mental toughness, as she dared to change lines on key points and successfully stifled Rybakina's attack.

At the start of the decider, Rybakina quickly adjusted her tactics, re-energizing her serve and baseline pressing, reducing unforced errors and putting more pressure on her return. At this time, Samsonova's fitness seems to have declined, and her movement speed has decreased, resulting in more holes in the defense. Rybakina seized the opportunity and broke back-to-back serves to seal the win 6-1 and lift the trophy.

The victory was significant for Rybakina:

1. First title of the season: After winning in Stuttgart last year, her form continued to be sluggish, and now being crowned in Strasbourg has undoubtedly boosted her confidence;

2. Warming up on clay: Despite her ability to play fast hard and grass, her victory on clay proved that she had adapted to the rhythm of clay and prepared for the French Open in time.

3. World Ranking Consolidation: The 250 points she earned to win the title halted her slide in time to help her stay competitive in the WTA rankings and even push for higher rankings.

As the 2022 Wimbledon champion, Rybakina is extremely competitive at the Grand Slam level. Strasbourg's victory this time undoubtedly added weight to her French Open journey. If she can maintain her consistent serve and baseline attacking efficiency, she will be able to go far in Paris.

As for Samsonova, despite failing to win the title, her tenacity and tactical adjustment in the second set proved that she has what it takes to create a threat on clay.

Rybakina ended her trip to Strasbourg with a spectacular victory, not only claiming her first title of the season, but also laying a good foundation for the upcoming French Open. Her strong serve and attacking style of play make her capable of competing for a title on any court. Fans have reason to expect more surprises from the Kazakh star at Roland Garros. (Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)