TWO huge results came to fruition overnight, as qualifier Liudmila Samsonova went all the way, claiming the Bett1Open WTA 500 title in Berlin, whilst Ons Jabeur made history at the WTA 250 Viking Classic Birmingham, becoming the first Arab woman to win a WTA title.

For Jabeur, it was about “going for it” as much as making her third tour-level single final, overcoming Russian Daria Kasatkina 7-5 6-4. This is the second time the two have gone head-to-head in a final, with the first going the way of Kasatkina, as did their third clash at the 2016 Olympics.

“I knew I had to go for it, I had to win this title to at least breathe, and give an example,” Jabeur said on court. “There’s not a lot of Tunisian or Arabic players playing, so I hope this could inspire them, and I want to see more Arabic [players] and Tunisians playing with me on tour.”

“Last time we played was in Moscow, she won, and I was crying, it was a great battle,” Jabeur said. “I told her, ‘Can you please share some titles with me, at least, let me win my first WTA?'”

Jabeur won 74 per cent of her first serve points off just a 46.3 per cent clip, but made it work by utilising her second serve and converting five break point opportunities, as well as saving four of Kasatkina’s seven attempts.

“You know Dasha, you have to win every point you have,” Jabeur said. “I knew it was going to be difficult, but then when I lost my serve again, I just thought I’d continue focusing on breaking her again, just playing my game.”

In Berlin, Samsonova completed a huge week of upsets after coming through the qualifying stages to execute her 1-6 6-1 6-3 victory over fifth seed Belinda Bencic in on hour and 37 minutes. Whilst the Russian was shaky in the opening set, she fired up to reverse the 6-1 result in the second and maintained momentum throughout the remainder of the clash.

“It’s unbelievable,” Samsonova said post-match. “I didn’t expect it. I [did] dream it, but it’s amazing.”

Samsonova hit 28 winners for 15 unforced errors, with her 14 aces for six double faults playing a big role in her service game dominance. She won 80 per cent of her first serve points and backed up with a 51.6 per cent second serve winning rate, whilst also saving five of seven break points and converting four of eight attempts.

“I was so, so nervous today, even before the match, during the first set,” Samsonova said. “I said ‘Okay, let’s try to put more aggressive game.’ And it worked.”

“I was trying to continue to do my game, to try to be aggressive on the first shot, on my serve, on the return, and that was my focus,” Samsonova said.

Meanwhile in Germany, the Bad Homburg WTA 250 event began with seven matches playing out on the opening day, with fifth seed Nadia Podoroska cleaning up her opposition as sixth seed Sorana Cirstea was dealt the first upset by home hopefuly Andrea Petkovic. Amanda Anisimova executed a 50-minute victory as Misaki Doi followed suit in 58 minutes, whilst German Tamara Korpatsch claimed the lone three-setter of the day, a huge two hour and three minute victory over Rebecca Peterson, while in other games, Patricia Maria Tig and Katerina Siniakova both earned first round wins.

BETT1OPEN FINAL RESULT:

Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) defeated [5] Belinda Bencic (SUI) 1-6 6-1 6-3

VIKING CLASSIC BIRMINGHAM FINAL RESULT:

[2] Ons Jabeur (TUN) defeated Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 7-5 6-4

BAD HOMBURG ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[5] Nadia Podoroska (ARG) defeated Mara Guth (GER) 6-0 6-3
Andrea Petkovic (GER) defeated [6] Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 6-3 6-4
Misaki Doi (JPN) defeated Anna Danilina (KAZ) 6-2 6-2
Tamara Korpatsch (GER) defeated Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 7-5 2-6 7-6
Amanda Anisimova (USA) defeated Danka Kovinic (MNE) 6-2 6-1
Katerina Siniakova (CZE) defeated Varvara Gracheva (RUS) 6-3 6-2
Patricia Maria tip (ROU) defeated Mona Barthel (GER) 7-6 6-3

Picture credit: Getty Images for LTA