Tennis
2022-09-04 - Liudmila Samsonova vs Ajla Tomljanovic
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
Tennis: US Open Fourth Round
Sunday 4th September 2022 - Scheduled 5pm
10pm British Time
Preview
Assuming Serena Williams is true to her word, Ajla Tomljanovic will be the answer to the quiz question in the future when asked who ended the career of the 23 time Grand Slam Champion. It was an emotional and physically tough match for the Australian and backing that up is going to be a huge test.
That would have been the case no matter who Ajla Tomljanovic was going to face in the Fourth Round, but she may be going up against the form player in the draw. The Women's tournament has regularly thrown up surprising winners so there is nothing to say that Liudmila Samsonova cannot claim the title here next Saturday.
Her claims to the title are enhanced by the fact that Liudmila Samsonova has won thirteen hard court matches in a row and has taken the titles in Washington and Cleveland in the build to this event. During that run of victories, Samsonova has dropped just two sets, while she has not allowed opponents to win more than three games in five of the six sets she has won at the US Open.
The Russian player is heading back towards her career best World Ranking on her current form and being World Number 35 means there is plenty about Samsonova already. Her numbers on the hard courts have been more impressive than the ones produced by Ajla Tomljanovic who has largely been at an average level on the surface through the season.
You can point to the fact that Tomljanovic has played at both Masters events over the last month and she Qualified for both events to build her confidence. Defeats to players like Iga Swiatek and Petra Kvitova are solid indicators of a decent level being reached by the Australian, but you also have to point out that her loss in Washington came against the opponent she is meeting in the Fourth Round in New York City.
Ajla Tomljanovic took the first set that day before being blitzed in the next two, while Liudmila Samsonova will point out that she had double the break point chances compared with Tomljanovic on the day.
I was hoping this spread was perhaps a game narrower than where it stands, but Liudmila Samsonova has the tennis to keep her form going as she looks to reach the Quarter Final of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
Prediction
Lay the games with the favourite.
The Pick :
Liudmila Samsonova 2-0 Ajla Tomljanovic
