Samsonova Saves Two Match Points and Ousts Pegula in Berlin
© AFP
It took Liudmila Samsonova 3 hours and 21 minutes to overcome world No. 3 and defending champion Jessica Pegula at the WTA 500 in Berlin.
The 20th-ranked Russian triumphed after a grueling battle (6-7, 7-5, 7-6), saving two match points on her serve late in the third set when Pegula led 5-4. Unshaken in the decisive tie-break, Samsonova secured her fourth top-10 win of the year.
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In the quarterfinals, she will face the winner of the match between Magdalena Frech, who stunned Mirra Andreeva in the first round, and Amanda Anisimova.
Meanwhile, Pegula will drop 435 ranking points following this loss but maintains a comfortable lead over fourth-ranked Jasmine Paolini, who was also eliminated in the second round on Wednesday.
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