Liudmila Samsonova advanced to the next round of the Berlin Open after coming from a set down to beat four-time major winner Naomi Osaka.
Liudmila Samsonova Vs Naomi Osaka, Berlin Open: Russian Wins Battle Of Former Champions
Liudmila Samsonova's serve was her big weapon, as she struck 14 aces to Naomi Osaka's five, while also making 60.2% of her first serves compared to her opponent's 54.5%
Samsonova, who reached the second round for the first time since 2022, needed two hours and 36 minutes to earn a 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory over the former world number one.
Osaka was seeking her first win over a top-20 opponent since she defeated Karolina Muchova at this year's Australian Open, but Samsonova proved too strong in the closing stages of an encounter between two previous Berlin champions.
The Japanese struck 10 winners to Samsonova's eight as she powered into the lead, before taking a 40-0 advantage on her opponent's serve at 5-5 in the second.
However, Samsonova, who triumphed in Berlin four years ago, was able to take the set to a tie-break, earning a mini-break midway through and did not drop another point as the tie went the distance.
It was a fine backhand that gave Samsonova a crucial break. Serving for the match at 5-4, she defended two break points before sealing the win with a fierce serve.
Australian Open champion Madison Keys was stunned in her first-round match, going down 7-5 7-6 (8-6) to Marketa Vondrousova.
Vondrousova will now face 21-year-old Diana Shnaider in the next round.
Qinwen Zheng, meanwhile, withdrew on Tuesday due to injury.
Data Debrief: Samsonova's serve on point
Samsonova's serve was her big weapon, as she struck 14 aces to Osaka's five, while also making 60.2% of her first serves compared to her opponent's 54.5%.
She was also more efficient than Osaka when it came to breaking.
Samsonova saved 70% (7/10) of the break points she faced, while converting 42.9% (3/7) of the ones she forced.
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