Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Strasbourg match.
As the WTA tournament in Strasbourg approaches its conclusion, both Danielle Collins and Liudmila Samsonova remain in contention for a place in the final. For Samsonova, reaching the last four is somewhat unexpected, particularly given her recent struggles on clay. By contrast, for Danielle Collins, this semi-final appearance is a continuation of her strong showing at the event last year. The American arrives fresh after Anna Kalinskaya withdrew from their quarter-final clash, but overcoming Liudmila Samsonova will be a demanding task. The Russian appears to be hitting form at just the right time.
Danielle Collins
Danielle Collins has had a mixed season (11-6), but her form has picked up since the switch to clay. Since April, she has won six of her eight matches. Strasbourg seems to suit her playing style — she was a finalist here in 2024 and now returns to the semi-finals in 2025. However, this year’s campaign has not been without its challenges. She has already been taken to three sets twice — against Sofia Kenin (6:1, 1:6, 6:2) and Emma Raducanu (4:6, 6:1, 6:3) — and has tallied 13 double faults across those matches.
Liudmila Samsonova
Liudmila Samsonova struggled to find her footing on clay earlier in the season, registering just one win across three tournaments prior to Strasbourg. However, she has rediscovered her rhythm this week, defeating Linda Noskova and Paula Badosa. Her matches in Strasbourg have typically been competitive and lengthy, with three of them featuring at least 19 games.
Danielle Collins vs Liudmila Samsonova Prediction
During the clay court swing, Danielle Collins has claimed victories over high-calibre opponents including Jelena Ostapenko, Iga Świątek, and Shelby Rogers. However, Liudmila Samsonova presents a stern challenge. Ranked 19th in the WTA standings, she has already seen off experienced players to reach this stage. A closely fought contest is expected, with a three-set match a distinct possibility. Even in two sets, a combined total of 20 games is well within reach.
