Stuttgart Open: Krejcikova vs Samsonova Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Stuttgart Open first-round match featuring Barbora Krejcikova vs Liudmila Samsonova on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Krejcikova vs Samsonova Match Preview and Prediction

Will the swashbuckling style of Barbora Krejcikova trump the power of Liudmila Samsonova? It is a must-see first-round match at the Stuttgart Open when these two collide. Who will prevail?

Barbora Krejcikova hasn’t won another clay-court tournament since she sensationally lifted the maiden Grand Slam singles title of her career at Roland Garros in 2021. In fact, last year she went 2-3 on the surface and lost at the first hurdle in her title defense in Paris. Krejcikova didn’t get to play any leadup tournaments last year because of injuries, but she is healthy this season and has rocketed up the rankings again. With a 16-7 record in 2023, Krejcikova is among the best-performing players on the WTA Tour this season and will look to kick off her European clay swing with a statement win at the Stuttgart Open against Liudmila Samsonova.

Liudmila Samsonova was last seen in action at the Miami Open at the end of March losing in an incredible three-setter to Qinwen Zheng. Krejcikova, for her part, has played a couple of matches at the BJKC at the weekend as the Czech Republic dominated Ukraine on the clay in Antalya. So will that give the 2021 French Open champion an upper hand in this matchup at the Stuttgart Open?

Krejcikova vs Samsonova Prediction and Pick

Liudmila Samsonova leads Barbora Krejcikova 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning a hard-fought encounter at the Abu Dhabi Open in February. I expect another slugfest here and Krejcikova will need to bring her full repertoire. Samsonova reached the semifinals of this tournament last year and lost narrowly to Iga Swiatek. That spotless power that the Russian taps onto make her unbeatable when on song. And conditions at the Stuttgart Open definitely give her a sizable advantage to claim an upset.