Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: Paula Badosa vs (8) Liudmila Samsonova

Tournament: Abu Dhabi Open 2023

Round: First Round (Round of 32)

Venue: Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, Abu Dhabi

Category: WTA 500

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt

Prize money: $780,637

Live telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Amazon Prime Video

Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova preview

Eighth seed Liudmila Samsonova will square off against former Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa in the first round of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Open.

The Spaniard made a terrific start to the year, winning her first four matches. This included a scintillating run to the semifinals of the Adelaide International 2.

However, injury struck at the most inopportune time for the 25-year-old. Not only did she have to give a walkover to Daria Kasatkina, but her thigh injury ruled her out of the Australian Open as well.

Having recovered, Badosa will now be eager to push the setback aside and get back to business in the Middle East.

Samsonova has come into the 2023 season on the back of a highly successful year on the tour. She won three titles and made the semifinals in Stuttgart too. The Russian’s heroics propelled her to a career-high No. 19 in the world rankings, where she is currently perched.

However, the 24-year-old has flattered to deceive so far this year. In three tournaments, she has managed to win just two matches, with her latest result being a second-round exit at the Australian Open.

Samsonova will hope to reset and bounce back with quite a few important tournaments lined up over the next few weeks.

Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova head-to-head

Samsonova has a flawless 2-0 lead in her head-to-head with Badosa. Their first meeting was in Segovia in 2018, where the Russian won after Badosa retired in the second set.

In their next showdown at the 2021 Australian Open, the two battled hard before Samsonova eked out a gritty 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-5 win in the first round.

Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova odds

(Odds will be updated once they are available)

Paula Badosa vs Liudmila Samsonova prediction

Given the fact that Badosa is returning from an injury, her fitness remains doubtful. The World No. 21 might need a couple of matches before she gets back her touch and rhythm.

Samsonova is thus the favorite to come through this clash. She has beaten Badosa in each of their last two meetings and knows what it takes to make it a hat-trick of wins.

The Russian has a booming serve and a blistering forehand to go with it. She will once again opt for an all-out aggressive approach to put pressure on Badosa right from the start.

While Samsonova’s first serve is deadly, her second serve could be an area for the Spaniard to exploit. If Badosa can pounce on them and make her opponent work hard for her points, there is a chance that Samsonova could find herself in a spot of bother.

Otherwise, this match is likely to end the same way as their last couple of face-offs did.

Pick: Liudmila Samsonova to win in straight sets.