Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova Preview & Prediction | 2026 Japan Women’s Open | First Round

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Lilli Tagger meets Liudmila Samsonova in the first round at the 2026 Japan Women’s Open at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka, Japan.

Ranking points: WTA 250

Start date/time: 19 October 2026 at 3:00 am

Venue: Utsubo Tennis Center, Osaka, Japan

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova ticket information

Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova prediction

Liudmila Samsonova looks to have put her mid-season woes behind her.

The Russian recently reached the last four in Guadalajara and her defeats over the last four months have only really come against big-name stars.

This will be the fifth seed’s second meeting with Lilli Tagger, who prevailed 6-2 7-6 when they met on clay in Linz earlier this year.

However, the 18-year-old Austrian has struggled for consistency since winning a title in Prague, with five defeats in her last six.

Liudmila will be motivated to put the record straight here and form suggests she will be confident of doing so. 

Lilli Tagger vs Liudmila Samsonova tip: Liudmila Samsonova to win