By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Monday, February 3, 2025
Photo credit: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Facebook
In a clash of former Abu Dhabi finalists, the lucky loser was wondrous winner.
Lucky loser Veronika Kudermetova saved match point fighting off fifth-seeded Liudmila Samsonova 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(5) in a 2 hour, 55 minute marathon to reach the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open second round.
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It was a family-aided win.
Veronika Kudermetova, who lost in qualifying, gained entry to the main draw when younger sister Polina Kudermetova withdrew.
In a topsy-turvy test, Veronika Kudermetova built a 5-2 lead only to see the hard-hitting Samsonova reel off five games in a row to seize a one-set lead.
Resetting, Kudermetova surged through nine of the next 11 games to take the second set and go up 3-1 in the third.
Samsonova broke back for 3-all then gained match point with Kudermetova serving at 4-5,…
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