Sensational win for Samsonova

Liudmila Samsonova wins against Belinda Bencic

Russian Liudmila Samsonova has made her mark on the bett1open: The world number 106 defeated 2019 US Open semi-finalist number five seed Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the final of the grass-court tournament, it’s the 22-year-old's first ever title at a WTA tournament. "I am sure we will hear more from Liudmila in the future," said tournament director Barbara Rittner after the qualifier's surprise coup.

At the Steffi Graf Stadium, things initially looked anything but good for Samsonova, who had defeated former world number one and 2012 and 2013 Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka (Belarus), among others, on her way to the final. After only 28 minutes, the nummer 12 of the world Bencic, had won set number one with 6:1. But the strong-serving Russian (14 aces) turned the tables with an early break in the second set, won set number two 6-1 and converted her second match point 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 after 1:37 hours. "It's unbelievable. The title means a lot to me, it's something I've always dreamed of," Samsonova said after her victory.

"Despite a few cancellations, we had an excellent field and saw a week of absolute world-class tennis," said tournament director Barbara Rittner, looking back on a fantastic week of tennis at the LTTC "Rot-Weiß" e.V., which was peppered with many hard-fought matches.

The final day of the bett1open opened with the doubles final between Nicole Melichar (USA)/Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) and Victoria Azarenka/Aryna Sabalenka (both Belarus). The 27-year-old Melichar and Schuurs got off to the better start, winning the first set 6-4. The duo from the USA and the Netherlands already won the tournaments in Doha and Miami this year, but lost set number two 5-7 and also had no chance against the Belarusians in the final match tiebreak (4-10). "It was just great to be able to play in front of the spectators again," Azarenka said after the final victory.