Zheng and Samsonova Face Off in French Open Round of 16

PARIS, France — Eighth seed Qinwen Zheng will face 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova today in the fourth round of the 2025 Roland Garros. Both players are aiming for a place in their first French Open quarterfinal and have reached this stage without dropping a single set.

Zheng advanced to the fourth round with decisive victories over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Emiliana Arango, and qualifier Victoria Mboko. Samsonova, on the other hand, has also demonstrated her dominance by eliminating Mayar Sherif, qualifier Leyre Romero Gormaz, and Dayana Yastremska.

This matchup marks a personal best for both competitors. Zheng has shown impressive form throughout the tournament, maintaining a record of 13-8 this year. She has served 98 aces and won 70.4% of her service games, showcasing her strong performance on the court. In comparison, Samsonova holds a 14-12 record, with 67.6% of her service games won and a break point conversion rate of 48.2%.

The two players have met five times previously, with Samsonova leading the head-to-head series 3-2. Their rivalry increased in intensity after their first match in 2021, where Zheng claimed a straight-sets victory in Palermo. Their most recent encounter was in Montreal, where Samsonova won decisively, 6-3, 6-2.

Both players have demonstrated powerful play leading up to this match. Zheng recently reached the semifinals in Rome after pushing Coco Gauff to three sets, while Samsonova reached the final in Strasbourg shortly before arriving in Paris.

As they prepare to meet on the clay surface, expectations are high. Zheng’s ability to win crucial points and call upon her past successes at Roland Garros could play a significant role. She has expressed confidence in her game and is looking forward to the challenge posed by Samsonova.

Will Zheng’s recent form help her break the head-to-head disadvantage, or can Samsonova extend her lead? The match will unfold on the clay courts of Stade Roland Garros, where both athletes aim to make a mark in their careers.