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Liudmila Samsonova has indicated that she plans to be "very aggressive" on her service and return against Iga Swiatek in Beijing final. On Sunday, world No 22 Samsonova will be taking on second-seeded Swiatek in the final of a WTA 1000 event in Beijing.
After beating 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 7-6 (7) 6-3 in the Beijing semifinal, Samsonova is undoubtedly full of confidence and aiming to also stun Swiatek. "My serve and return will be the key tomorrow because she plays very aggressive on the first shot… so, I will try to push as I did all these matches here, to be really, really aggressive," Samsonova said.
Samsonova on the upcoming final: My serve and return will be the key tomorrow because she plays very aggressive on the first shot… so
I will try to push as I did all these matches here, to be really, really aggressive.#2023ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/odh78iSqVb — China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 7, 2023
Samsonova targets her first win over Swiatek
When Samsonova, 24, and 22-year-old Swiatek meet in the Beijing final, it will be their third meeting.
In their first meeting in 2022 Stuttgart, Swiatek edged out Samsonova 6-7 (4) 6-4 7-5. Earlier this year, Swiatek also defeated Samsonova 6-1 6-0 in their second meeting in Dubai. “I liked a lot the way that I step on the court in Stuttgart against her, because I step, like, `I’m playing against the No 1, so let’s see and let’s try to do my best.
No pressure, nothing.’ When I’m mentally like that, I can play my best tennis," Samsonova said.
On Saturday, Samsonova clinched a very notable win over Rybakina but Swiatek did the same - the Pole dismantled reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff 6-2 6-3. "I'm really happy with my performance.
It feels like I can play freely again, so I'm really happy. It's been a while since I felt that way. So I'll remember for the rest of my career that even though tougher times may come, in your mind, you can always overcome that.
And with hard work, you can achieve it. I'm happy that I switched my attitude after US Open, and hopefully I'll be able to keep it for as long as possible," Swiatek said after beating Gauff. It remains to be seen if Samsonova can upset Swiatek in the Beijing final for her first title of the year.