Liudmila Samsonova dashes Bianca Andreescu's birthday title hopes in Den Bosch

On Sunday in 's-Hertogenbosch, Liudmila Samsonova captured her first WTA title since September 2022 by denying Bianca Andreescu a birthday triumph.

The No. 2 seed at the Libema Open, Samsonova edged out the former US Open champion, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, to clinch her second career grass-court crown. Earlier in the day, she completed a 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-1 victory over two-time reigning champion Ekaterina Alexandrova after rain had suspended their semifinal the prior evening.

FLASHBACK: HIGHLIGHTS FROM SAMSONOVA'S FIRST WTA FINAL

In her deciding set with Andreescu, Samsonova saw an early break advantage erased for 4-4 by the Canadian—who earlier needed an off-court medical timeout to have her left leg taped. The 25-year-old showed her resolve from missing three break points in the ninth game by reeling off 12 of the final 14 points.

Samsonova prevailed after two hours and 34 minutes with a winning backhand pass down the line to wrap up the contest.

"Mentally, I think today was difficult. I didn't have much energy and I found something really, really deep in me,” Samsonova shared afterwards. “It was really amazing, this feeling. I felt like an experienced player.”

Three years ago in Berlin, Samsonova made her first big splash on tour as a qualifier at the 500-level grass event by posting successive wins over Madison Keys, Victoria Azarenka and Belinda Bencic to taste victory. She then followed up that performance by reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon.

Andreescu, now 24, was bidding to lift her first trophy since joining the major winner’s club. Having won three of her first four tour-level finals, Andreescu has finished runner-up in her last three title match appearances.