Clay Woes Continue for Osaka as Samsonova Upsets Former Champion

Naomi Osaka’s return to clay at the Madrid Open hit a roadblock in the second round, falling to Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the four-time Grand Slam champion couldn’t overcome a determined Samsonova.

Fresh off a victory in her clay-court opener against Greet Minnen, Osaka found herself facing an uphill battle against the 15th-seeded Russian. Samsonova, ranked 17th in the world, had been on a four-match losing streak but used the matchup to turn the tide. The two-hour, 22-minute contest showcased the contrasting styles of the players – Osaka, a hard-court specialist, struggling to find her footing on the slower surface, and Samsonova capitalizing on her clay-court experience.

The opening set was a dominant display by Samsonova. She raced to a commanding 4-0 lead, breaking Osaka’s serve twice. Osaka managed to claw back a break but was broken again in the fifth game. However, the Japanese star showcased her fighting spirit, winning the next four games to steal the set from under Samsonova’s nose.

Tennis Result

The deciding set became a battle of nerves. Both players exchanged breaks, but it was Samsonova who found the crucial break in the 11th game. Serving for the match, she closed it out confidently, setting up a clash with Madison Keys in the next round.

Osaka’s struggles on clay continue. While her victory over Minnen marked her first clay-court win in two years, her inability to string together consecutive wins on the surface persists. Her preference for faster hard courts becomes evident in these encounters.

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek, the world number one and last year’s runner-up in Madrid, takes the court later on Thursday against China’s Wang Xiyu. The tournament remains wide open, with players vying for supremacy on the red clay surface.