Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova Prediction & Picks - WTA Linz
WTA - WTA Linz
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by Bradley Gibbs | in Tennis Picks
At the clay-court event in the Austrian city of Linz, on Thursday, there's an intriguing showdown between Lilli Tagger and Liudmila Samsonova. On home soil, Tagger is expected (by the early market) to seriously outplay her ranking against a top-25 player, though I'm just not sure that's right. Samsonova is a very good player when she gets going, and she was rather useful on clay last season, so I really wouldn't be surprised if she makes much lighter work of this than the early odds suggest.
It is Tagger who could have the edge in terms of readiness, with the Austrian already playing a match at this tournament, but her opponent has a strong clay-court record against lower-ranked players, while let's face it, Tagger hasn't exactly beaten top-50 players with regularity in recent weeks, losing two out of three such matches.
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Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova Form
Lilli Tagger and Liudmila Samsonova Latest Matches
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Apr 7, 2026 - WTA Linz
Mar 20, 2026 - WTA Miami
Mar 19, 2026 - WTA Miami
Mar 7, 2026 - WTA Indian Wells
Mar 5, 2026 - WTA Indian Wells
Jan 15, 2026 - WTA Australian Open
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
Mar 20, 2026 - WTA Miami
Mar 7, 2026 - WTA Indian Wells
Feb 15, 2026 - WTA Dubai Tennis Championships
Feb 8, 2026 - WTA Doha
Feb 5, 2026 - Abu Dhabi Open
Feb 3, 2026 - Abu Dhabi Open
Lilli Tagger - Liudmila Samsonova Key Points
- Liudmila Samsonova has a good record against much lower-ranked players.
- On clay, Liudmila Samsonova has won four of her last five matches against lower-ranked players.
- Lilli Tagger lost her most recent match against a top-25 player.
- Lilli Tagger has lost two of her three recent matches against players currently ranked inside the top 50.
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Our Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova Prediction
The early market is likely pricing this match largely based on the fact that Lilli Tagger has already played in Linz, which sure, potentially gives her a preparation edge. However, as she's up against a much better player, I really am questioning whether that slight preparation edge means that the Austrian should be as short as +100 to win this match.
Frankly, as far as I'm concerned, Samsonova would beat a player of Tagger's quality on a clay court more often than not, so much so that odds of -125 are just too generous. I'd have the Russian priced much closer to -150.
Our Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova Pick: Liudmila Samsonova to Win.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
