Bookmakers back Samsonova despite Dart's past victory

Harriet Dart and Liudmila Samsonova meet in the last 32 of the London WTA on 7 June, contesting a best-of-three tie on the grass courts. Bookmakers heavily favour Samsonova. Yet Dart holds a previous victory over Samsonova and arrives with stronger recent results.

FINISHED

Dart H.

2

1

Samsonova L.

5-7

, 6-4

, 6-3

Dart holds narrow edge from previous meeting

The pair have met just once, with Dart claiming a hard-court victory in Dubai in February 2022. The match was finely balanced. It ended level on 15 games apiece before Dart secured the deciding set and the only tiebreak.

Dart H.

Samsonova L.

Wins

1 0

First Serve Points Won

76 %72 %

Second Serve Points Won

54 %62 %

Return Points Won

33 %36 %

Break Points Converted

40 %27 %

Break Points Saved

73 %60 %

Momentum swings slightly in Dart's favour

Dart comes into this clash having won five of her last ten matches. She has shown solid efficiency on serve and a strong 49% break-point conversion rate. Samsonova has struggled more visibly, managing only three victories in that same span while winning just 30% of her opening sets.

Fresh legs give Samsonova a physical advantage

Grass-court sample sizes remain small for both players. Dart sits at 0-1 on the surface this season, while Samsonova has yet to play a match on grass in 2026. Physical freshness tells a clear story, however. Samsonova has spent nearly three and a half hours less on court across her last three matches.

Bookmakers lean heavily towards Samsonova

The market reflects the significant gap in world rankings. Bookmakers price Samsonova at 1.33 against Dart at 3.40. First-set odds follow a similar pattern, with the favourite at 1.40 to take the opening frame.

Dart H.

Samsonova L.

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Higher ranking meets fresh legs on grass

Samsonova's superior ranking and fresher legs suggest she should control the tempo. Dart's recent form and past victory prove she can trouble her opponent. The match may well hinge on early pressure, with both players showing identical 49% break-point conversion rates over their last ten outings.

Prediction

Odds