Anett Kontaveit and Liudmila Samsonova meet in the second round of the 2023 tennis Italian Open. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Anett Kontaveit is coming off a straight set win over Alycia Parks that took 14 games to decide. In the victory, Kontaveit won 75 percent of her first serve points and 41 percent of her second serve points. Kontaveit won 62 percent of her total service points and converted on 6 of her 10 break points. Kontaveit got 62 percent of her first serves in play and hit 1 ace. In a victory that took a little over an hour, Kontaveit has made at least the second round of the Italian Open in all 6 appearances. Kontaveit has now won 5 of her last 8 matches when you include 3 Billie Jean King Cup matches. Kontaveit has won 5 of her last 7 matches on clay court.
Liudmila Samsonova is coming off a fourth round exit in Madrid and now looks for her first ever win at the Italian Open. Samsonova simply doesn’t have much success in WTA 1000 play, but her recent efforts could give her a shot in the arm in terms of confidence. It was Samsonova’s second ever fourth round trip in a WTA 1000 and the first time she’s won back to back matches since Abu Dhabi back in February. Samsonova has seen 6 of her last 9 victories be decided in straight sets. Samsonova has lost 6 of her last 8 matches on clay court.
There’s no match history between these 2 players.
You can make a case for Kontaveit given she’s had more success in big tournaments, but her play has been so spotty she’s hard to trust. Samsonova is playing the slighting better tennis right now, and her play in Madrid is encouraging moving forward. Samsonova simply can’t let a match like this slip through her fingers.
Give me Samsonova, and I’ll side with her in straight sets to shave down the price.
