Pegula Pounds Samsonova For Canadian Masters Title

After a 3-set win earlier in the day over Elena Rybakina in a rain-delay Canadian Masters semifinal in Montreal, Liudmila Samsonova had nothing left for the final match against Jessica Pegula. The American dominated the affair winning the last 11 games for a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

Pegula collects her third career title in her seventh final. It’s her first title since her maiden WTA 1000 trophy at Guadalajara last fall.

“We’re out on tour to win tournaments and to win titles every single week, but tennis can be really tough where you sometimes lose a lot,” Pegula said to the WTA. “Even when you’re winning a lot of matches, you’re still not winning tournaments, so it can get tough.

“Winning a week like this week makes it all worth it and makes you want to keep going for more. I’ll be right back at it tomorrow in Cincinnati.”

Pegula scored huge 3-set wins over recent titlists Coco Gauff in the quarters and then Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.

“Beating Coco and beating Iga were two really tough wins back-to-back,” Pegula said, “and being able to do that and then just come out today and play a really clean match was kind of great. I felt like I didn’t have a ton of pressure at any point or I wasn’t worried too much today.”

Samsonova was seeking fifth title and biggest of her career. Due to rain, the Russian won two matches on Friday and played two today.

“I still cannot realize because it was a tough week for me,” Samsonova said. “So many matches, so many experiences. Tough weather, but at the end I made such an incredible result. I’m so happy.

“I knew Jessica, I know the way she plays. I know that she’s a tough opponent and I knew also that I don’t have so many energies. So I tried to do my best but it was not enough today.”

Both players will head to Cincinnati Masters to further prepare for the US Open.

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