Samsonova hands Osaka another defeat

Russia's Liudmila Samsonova came from a set down to beat Naomi Osaka 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in the first round of the Berlin Open WTA event on June 16.

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The world No. 20, who won the tournament in 2021, took 2hr 36min to get past the four-time Grand Slam winner from Japan.

"I was just trying to fight till the end," Samsonova said on court. "I said, 'OK, till the last ball, I will try to push and try to find my game'."

Her victory sets up a last-16 clash with American world No. 3 Jessica Pegula on June 18.

Osaka broke her opponent twice in the opening set but Samsonova held her serve in the second before winning a tiebreak, winning the final four points.

Both exchanged breaks in the final set before the Russian 26-year-old broke a second time, putting her on track for victory.

Osaka's defeat is the latest setback in the former world No. 1's comeback since returning from maternity leave in 2024.

She was also defeated in the first round of the French Open.