Liudmila Samsonova has enjoyed a pretty good 8-7 record this season. The Russian had her best run of the season in Adelaide International, where she reached the semifinals. In Indian Wells, she banking on doing the same but will have to go through Aryna Sabalenka . The 26-year-old believes she can the better of the World No.1.
Samsonova opened her Indian Wells account in the second round by defeating American Caty McNally 7-6(8), 6-4. The Russian star then earned her second Top 20 win of the season by beating Daria Kasatkina in straight sets. In the fourth round, she displayed an all-round performance to beat Jasmine Paolini 6-0, 6-4.
On the other hand, Sabalenka has bounced back from her Middle East slumber. The World No.1 won only one match during that period and has only one title to her name this season. In Indian Wells, she has been at her best and has yet to drop a set. She defeated McCartney Kessler and Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets.
On Wednesday (Match 12), she faced lucky loser Sonay Kartal in the fourth round. The Belarusian looked in control of the tie from the beginning to the end and just needed an hour and 22 minutes to beat the British star 6-1, 6-2. Sabalenka then earned her place in the quarter-finals of Indian Wells for the second time in her career.
The first time the World No.1 reached this stage of the competition she went into finish as runners-up after losing to Elena Rybakina in the 2023 final. Nonetheless, Samsonova, who is into the quarter-finals of Indian Wells for the first time, has declared that she can beat Sabalenka.
So far, I’ve had three matches, and all three opponents positioned themselves quite far from the baseline on returns, which helps me a lot. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow (Thursday). Against Aryna, I just hope I can play my tennis, that would already be a great performance for me. I’ve beaten her several times before, I don’t think it will be so easy for her against me either, I truly believe that.
Liudmila Samsonova said via Indian Wells Press
Samsonova has played Sabalenka four times on Tour with both sharing a 2-2 head-to-head record. The latter has beaten the former at the 2023 Adelaide International and the 2024 Cincinnati Open.
Aryna Sabalenka believes the WTA has become unpredictable following her Middle East swing defeats
The 2025 WTA season has taught Aryna Sabalenka a very big lesson. Despite her ranking position, she has lost to players below the Top 10 throughout the season. Her first was against Madison Keys at the Australian Open before Ekaterina Alexandrova in Qatar and then Clara Tauson in Dubai.
The World No.1 has gotten over those losses in Indian Wells after earning three wins, but the lessons they taught her will never be forgotten. The Belarusian said ahead of her meeting with Liudmila Samsonova that no player can be underrated on tour. She added that despite the uncertainty, she’s prepared for this kind of matches.
This is tennis, especially women’s tennis, anything can happen. Maybe the scores in my matches seemed easy, but none of them were. I’m 26 years old, I’ve played many tournaments and been in many different situations. I believe I’m more than prepared for those situations, both mentally and physically.
Aryna Sabalenka said via Indian Wells Press
Sabalenka will hope to reach her third semifinals of the season in Indian Wells. The 26-year-old earlier won the Brisbane International in January and will hope to win the BNP Paribas Open title for the first time in her career.
