Tennis in the Land: Samsonova wins the title

Russian Liudmila Samsonova won the Tennis in the Land title by beating Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich, the No 7 seed, 6-1, 6-3 at Cleveland’s iconic Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Flats West Bank on Saturday evening.

Samsonova, ranked No 45, defeated Belarusian lucky loser Iryna Shymanovich (6-1, 6-0), German qualifier Laura Siegemund (6-2, 6-1), Pole Magda Linette (6-4, 6-3) and American Bernarda Pera (6-1, 6-2) in the previous rounds.

Earlier in the tournament, Sasnovich, ranked No 36, defeated Serb Aleksandra Krunic (7-6 (5), 6-1), Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo (4-6, 6-3, 6-3), American Madison Brengle (6-4, 6-1) and Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, the No 8 seed (6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3).