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Liudmila Samsonova vs Sofia Kenin Betting Tips & Live Stream – Samsonova Holds the Edge in Abu Dhabi

moti-prakash
Moti Prakash
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Last updated: Sat 31 Jan 2026 18:17
Liudmila Samsonova and Sofia Kenin are set to clash in Abu Dhabi, each striving to overcome recent challenges. Samsonova is under pressure to maintain her top 20 ranking after a streak of early exits, although Abu Dhabi has been a stronghold in her career. Meanwhile, Kenin faces familiar hurdles with a series of first-round eliminations, struggling to reclaim her form. Despite Samsonova being favored, her inconsistency might give Kenin the edge to make the match competitive.
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Moti Prakash 31 Jan 2026
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  • Samsonova under pressure with recent early exits
  • Kenin struggles to find rhythm, with several first-round losses
  • Match could see Kenin challenge despite Samsonova's favoritism
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Liudmila Samsonova
Liudmila Samsonova plays a forehand against Laura Siegemund in the First Round of the Australian Open (credit: Getty)
Samsonova holds the edge going in, but her tendency to wobble during matches keeps things interesting. That lack of control gives Kenin a realistic chance to stay involved and push this deeper than expected.

Stats - Kenin’s Slide Tested by Samsonova

  • Liudmila Samsonova hasn’t had three straight first-round exits since 2024.
  • She has lost eight of her last 10 matches vs top-50 players. 
  • Sofia Kenin has seven first-round exits in her last 12 events. 
  • She has lost seven of her last eight matches vs top-20 players.

HTH - Sofia Kenin leads 2-1

Year Event Surface Round Winner Score
2025 Wuhan Hard 2R Liudmila Samsonova 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
2023 Doha Hard 1R Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1
2020 French Open Clay 1R Sofia Kenin 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Samsonova Needs a Reset

Liudmila Samsonova endured a frustrating Australian Open campaign, blowing a set and 5–2 lead against Laura Siegemund and also holding a break advantage in the deciding set before collapsing. 

Her 2026 season has been mixed so far. While she reached the quarterfinals in Brisbane, early exits followed in her next two events, including a first round loss to Marketa Vondrousova in Adelaide. This run of results puts her top 20 ranking under pressure. 

Abu Dhabi has traditionally been a strong stop for Samsonova. This will be her fourth appearance at the event, having reached the final in 2023 and the semifinals in 2024, although she suffered a surprise first round exit here last season.

Category Details
Nationality Russia
Age 27 (11 November 1998)
Plays Right-handed
World Ranking 18
Career High 12 (27 February 2023)
Tour level titles 5

Kenin Facing Familiar Struggles

Sofia Kenin arrives in Abu Dhabi on a three-match losing streak, including back-to-back first-round exits in Adelaide and at the Australian Open. The former Grand Slam champion has struggled to find rhythm early in 2026. 

The 27-year-old has now suffered seven opening-round defeats in her last 12 tournaments, highlighting a dip in consistency after a relatively solid start to last season. Early losses have become a recurring theme. 

Kenin has played in Abu Dhabi three times before, with her best result coming as a quarterfinalist on debut in 2024. Her other two appearances ended in either qualifying or first-round defeats.

Category Details
Nationality USA
Age 27 (14 November 1998)
Plays Right-handed
World Ranking 27
Career High 4 (9 March 2020)
Tour level titles 5

Verdict

Samsonova is rightly favored, but her recent form suggests she rarely puts matches away without a scare. That inconsistency opens the door for Kenin to stay involved, making Kenin to take a set or over total games the more attractive betting options over a straight-sets call.

Best Bet1: Liudmila Samsonova Match Winner @40/85 at Hollywood bets - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 20.5 Total Games @17/23 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet3: Samsonova 2-1 Correct Score @146/49 at Star Sports - 2 Units
Liudmila Samsonova
Match Winner
@40/85 - 3 Units
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Over 20.5
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Bet at bet365
Samsonova 2-1
Correct Score
@146/49 - 2 Units
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01 Feb 2026

Liudmila Samsonova v Sofia Kenin

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