By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Monday, February 3, 2025
Photo credit: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Facebook
In an enthralling face-off between former Abu Dhabi contenders, the underdog emerged victorious.
Lucky loser Veronika Kudermetova pulled off a breathtaking comeback against fifth-seeded Liudmila Samsonova, winning 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(5) in a grueling 2 hours and 55 minutes to advance to the second round of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.
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A heartfelt victory, indeed!
After falling short in the qualifying rounds, Veronika Kudermetova secured her spot in the main draw due to the withdrawal of her younger sister, Polina Kudermetova.
In a rollercoaster match, Kudermetova initially surged to a 5-2 lead but watched as the aggressive Samsonova won five consecutive games, taking the first set.
Not to be deterred, Kudermetova rallied back, winning nine out of the next eleven games to snatch the second set and take a 3-1 advantage in the third.
Samsonova countered with a break to level the match at 3-3 and eventually held a match point while Kudermetova served at 4-5, 30-40.
Demonstrating poise, Kudermetova saved the match point and triumphed in a thrilling tiebreaker after Samsonova’s final shot narrowly sailed long.
“I had a bit of luck on my side today,” Kudermetova reflected. “I got my chance and seized it. It was just one of those good days. Earlier this season, I’ve been on the losing side of many matches despite leading.”
“I reminded myself that if I want to win, I must stay positive. If I give in to negativity, I’ll certainly lose,” she added.
Kudermetova, currently ranked World No. 51, rebounded from her quarterfinal loss to Samsonova in 2023, defeating her for the fourth consecutive time and improving her record against her to 6-2—marking her highest number of wins over any opponent.