Richard Pagliaro | @tennisnow | Monday, July 7, 2025
Image source: Glynn Kirk/AFP/Getty
Liudmila Samsonova There was almost no word in the fourth round of Wimbledon conflict today.
Silent Samsonova is busy with the driving force of her striking statements and cannot make it to her first Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Samsonova stops the Spanish in her 21st Professional Competition Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-5, 7-5 advanced to her first major quarterfinal in Game 2, one of the most exciting wins of her life.
“It was my first quarterfinal, so it was really exciting,” Samsonova said. “I think it’s a very tough game because she’s been incredible on the grass this week.
“I don’t have that many places to play, so to say, well, that would be right.
Samsonova, the 19th seed, was shy and polite, and was not very good in court.
Samsonova’s huge talent hits the big ball, and he tends to make her scream shots – especially her explosive forehand – speak. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why she tends to fly under radar.
However, the elite rival respects the former world number 12, born in Olenegorsk, Russia, and grew up in Rome after her family moved to Italy. That’s because a lot of people feel her shock and know that when she’s in the competition, she can play on the grass with anyone she faces.
Samsonova’s five professional champions (2021 Berlin and 2024 S-Hertogenbosch) are on the grass and her flat strike is hard to repel.
Samsonova turned tennis into a destructive ball in Berlin last month, beating four-time champion Naomi Osaka, U.S. Open finalist Jessica Pegula and Queen’s Club finalist Amanda Anisimova stood out in the semi-finals.
This wonderful Wimbledon run is the result of Samsonova spent years learning how to guide her tremendous power, adding some tips, including backhand slices, dropping the shots, and clearing her thoughts of stressing herself in order to get her best tennis to flow in the profession.
Samsonova said she worked hard to establish her identity in court today, which made her game clear.
“I think it’s because everyone grows in different times, like people mature. It’s different from anyone,” Samsonova said. “So, I think I’m starting to know who I am, which player I am and everything.”
“This puzzle is just going on together. I think it’s the result of all the work I’ve done over the past few years. When you’re just growing up, it’s been hard to compete every week, and you know a lot of things, you know a lot of things.”
To relieve some of the stress, Samsonova’s daily routine includes avoiding social media because she doesn’t want to know her opponent too far ahead of time.
Samsonova said: “Don’t think too early, because I’m starting to burn my mind. Yes, yes.
If she continues this vibrant game, soon the tennis world will care about her.
Spoiler Alert: Samsonova faces the first 1 Iga SwiatekToday, he beat Clara Tauson in the semifinals today.
Swiatek learned that Samsonova’s superstition refused to read the lottery and joked: “I’ll tell her.”
Swiatek swept all four of their meetings, including a 6-4, 6-1 victory at the U.S. 16 Open last summer. Overall, Swiatek has surrendered to Samsonova’s 10 games in its last three games.
Still, former Wimbledon women’s champion Swiatek said she wasn’t surprised by the Samsonova surge because she was at her best on a faster surface.
“Well, I know she can do a great job. We played some intense games,” Swiatke said. “I remember the one from Stuttgart, it was very intense. Yes, she is a player who likes fast surfaces.
“It’s not surprising to me that she can do well here. She’s also upset and won the big players. She has a lot of experience. Of course, it’s going to be a challenge.
“She’s in the quarterfinals, so she’s already had a great game. She knows how to play here. I’ll prepare the same way as any other game and I’ll prepare it.”
Apparently, the five major champions are a favorite in the game. Although Swiatek hasn’t won the Grassland Championship yet, Samsonova has two lawn titles, so if she plans to beat the pole, the SW19 is the perfect place to do so.
The question is: Can Samsonova hold her nerves and whip her forehand into Swiatek’s heavy spinning front hand with enough accuracy and speed?
The soft Samsonova grew up to Maria Sharapova, who said she intends to make a big noise in her best Grand Slam run to date.
Don’t discount the most overlooked woman who is still in the wild. Even if she bows to Swiatek, this Wimbledon run reveals that Samsonova Slam’s story has just begun.
“It’s an incredible first time standing up, staying here and having the chance to play in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam,” Samsonova said. “Secondly, I think I’m going to try to play the game again as much as I can.”
“I’ll do my best. I think I can do it well. I mean, I can play well.”
