Samsonova and Andreescu on collision course after draw

While Liudmila Samsonova (WTA-18) and Canadian superstar Bianca Andreescu (former number four) met in the final last year, the two could face each other in the quarterfinals 12 months later. However, for a possible rematch, the pair will first have to get past some eager qualifiers.

Samsonova, seeded first, proved too strong for former US Open champion Andreescu last year. The latter had to swallow the defeaton her birthday. This year, she returns as a wildcard player and is out for revenge.

Two-time champion back
Besides Samsonova, second-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova (WTA-20) is also a former champion returning to the Brabant grass. In fact, the 30-year-old won the tournament twice in a row, in 2022 and 2023, and has added another WTA trophy to her trophy cabinet this year. She too starts against a qualifier and plays in the second round against the winner of the duel between Katerina Siniakova (one of the best doubles players of all time) and the good-humoured Anna Blinkova (WTA-62).

Fourth-ranked Magda Linette of Poland, fifth-seeded Anastasia Potapova and seventh-ranked Lulu Sun are assigned to the top section of the playing schedule, with Samsonova. New Zealand lefty Sun (WTA-45), who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon as a qualifier last year, faces home-playing wildcard Anouck Vrancken Peeters (22) in the first round.

Orange presence
Arianne Hartono, also participating with a wildcard, can use Dutch support well in her clash with Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto (WTA-89). The top part of the playing schedule is also where Dutch number one Suzan Lamens has settled. The top-70 player made it to the main tournament on her own merits, meeting a qualifier. Last year in Rosmalen, Lamens recorded her first ever grass victory.

There is also orange representation in the lower part of the tournament schedule in the person of Anouk Koevermans (21), who gets a try against former world number three Maria Sakkari. Belgian fans can rally behind third series head Elise Mertens – in her first round against Viktoriya Tomova – and Greet Minnen, who faces a tough task against former top-10 player and Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins from the United States.

Then there is another sister act to enjoy. Former Libéma Open finalist and former world number 9 Veronika Kudermetova (28) starts her campaign against her six-year younger sister Polina (WTA-58). Earlier this year, the experienced Veronika won on clay court in Madrid.