In the first round of the WTA Kremlin Cup 2021, World No. 43 Ajla Tomljanovic will take on World No. 42 Liudmila Samsonova.
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Liudmila Samsonova: Match Details
- Tournament: WTA Kremlin Cup 2021
- Match: Ajla Tomljanovic vs Liudmila Samsonova
- Round: First Round
- Date: 18 October, 2021
- Prize money: $6,650
- Venue: Moscow, Russia
- Surface: Outdoor Hard court
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Liudmila Samsonova: Preview
Ajla Tomljanovic will be making her 4th trip to Moscow for the Kremlin Cup where she faced 1st round defeats in 2018 and 2019 having reached the 2nd round only once in 2014, her tournament debut. The Australian comes from a 4th round defeat at the 2021 Indian Wells, her best run since the hardcourt season resumed again having seen quite a few early exits otherwise.
Liudmila Samsonova will enter the main-draw of the Kremlin Cup for the first time after having failed to reach the main-draw in her 2019 appearance. The 22-year old Russian comes from a 2nd round defeat at the Indian Wells and similar to Ajla, has been highly inconsistent. She did however reach the semi-finals of the 2021 Luxembourg Open, her best run on hard courts in the 2nd half of the season.
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Liudmila Samsonova: Head to Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between the duo, hence the head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Liudmila Samsonova: Prediction
Ajla will come into the tie with a career Hardcourt record of 179-140 and is 11-12 on the surface this season having a season record of 27-21 across all surfaces. Liudmila will take the court with a career Hardcourt record of 47-29 and is 15-9 on the surface this season while being 34-20 across all surfaces for the season.
Looking at these numbers, their past performances and recent results, it looks to be a close encounter that could swing either way. However, given Samsonova’s better track record on the surface this season, she just might edge into the second round ahead of Ajla.
Prediction: Liudmila Samsonova to win in three-sets.
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Liudmila Samsonova: Live Streaming and Where to Watch
| Area | Broadcaster |
| USA | ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN3 |
| Australia | Bet365 |
| Continental Europe(52 countries) | Eurosport |
| UK and Ireland | Bet365 |
| India | Tennis TV |
| Indian subcontinent | Tennis TV |
| The Middle East and North Africa | beIN Sports |
| Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Central America | ESPN International |
| South America and Oceania | ESPN International |
| Southeast Asia | Fox Sports |
| Canada | TSN and RDS |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSports |
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