Kazakh Player Secures Victory in France

Strasbourg, France – Elena Rybakina has won the Internationaux de Strasbourg, a WTA 500 tournament, defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-7 [2:7], 6-1. The victory marks Rybakina’s first title in 13 months and serves as a crucial confidence booster heading into the French Open, which begins a week later.

The tournament, held on clay courts in Strasbourg, featured seven of the Top 20 players in the PIF WTA Rankings.

Key Stats and Performance

Rybakina’s performance in the final was highlighted by her dominant serve, delivering 16 aces. She saw half of her first serves go unreturned, putting significant pressure on Samsonova.

Tennis Inside Numbers – “Rybakina had last appeared in a championship match when she won the prestigious Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in April 2024.”

This win ends a period of challenges for Rybakina, which included injuries, illnesses, and off-court issues related to her coach.

Top Players Compete in Strasbourg

The 2026 Internationaux de Strasbourg featured a strong field of competitors, including two-time champion Elina Svitolina, who was aiming for a record-breaking third title in Strasbourg. Other notable players included Barbora Krejcikova, Paula Badosa, Emma Navarro, Daria Kasatkina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Liudmila Samsonova, Sofia Kenin, Danielle Collins, and Leylah Fernandez.

Svitolina had an impressive clay-court season in 2025, winning her first nine WTA Tour matches on the surface and reaching the Madrid semifinals.

Tournament History and Significance

The Internationaux de Strasbourg has been held annually since 1987 and serves as a key warm-up event for the French Open. The tournament has evolved over the years, currently holding a WTA 500 category status.

Past champions include Steffi Graf, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Angelique Kerber, and Ashleigh Barty.

FAQ

• When did Rybakina last win a title before Strasbourg? April 2024 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
• What type of surface is the Internationaux de Strasbourg played on? Clay.
• What is the significance of the Strasbourg tournament? It serves as a warm-up event for the French Open.