Greet Minnen faced a tough challenge against Russian player Liudmila Samsonova in the quarterfinals of the WTA grass tournament in Rosmalen. Despite putting up a strong fight, Minnen was unable to secure a spot in the semifinals, with Samsonova ultimately winning in a close match with a score of 6-4, 7-5.
This was the fourth meeting between Minnen and Samsonova, with Minnen having won their previous encounters a few years ago. Currently, Samsonova ranks as the number 15 player in the world and the second seed in the tournament, while Minnen holds the 85th position in the WTA rankings.
In the first set, Minnen struggled initially by losing her serve early on. However, she managed to fight back and level the score to 3-3 before Samsonova secured a crucial break to claim the set.
Both players had their chances to break serve throughout the match, with Minnen converting 2 out of 5 break points and Samsonova capitalizing on 4 out of 5 opportunities. The second set followed a similar pattern with Minnen again losing her serve early but managing to equalize at 5-5 before Samsonova broke once more to seal the victory.
Despite the loss, Minnen showcased her skills on the court by hitting 6 aces compared to Samsonova’s 6 double faults. The final game of the match was intense, lasting multiple deuces with Samsonova eventually clinching the win on her third match point after saving a break point along the way.
Although Minnen may not have advanced to the next round, her performance against a top-ranked opponent like Samsonova demonstrates her potential and determination on the grass courts. As she continues to compete on the WTA tour, Minnen’s resilience and competitive spirit will undoubtedly lead to more exciting matches and opportunities for success in the future.