Sam in happy place

SAMANTHA Stosur is drawing on a decade of happy Paris vibes as inspiration for yet another French Open title charge.

Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and onetime finalist Venus Williams are the only players left in the wide open women’s singles draw boasting more wins than Stosur at Roland Garros after Australia’s perennial contender charged into the third round for the ninth straight year.

While refusing to look beyond her next match tonight against American qualifier Bethanie MattekSands, the four-time semifinalist and 2010 runnerup says her record at the claycourt showpiece continues to drive her bid for a second grand slam crown.

“It’s nice to come back every single year. I guess you do have certain memories,” the 33-year-old said.

With a 36-13 win-loss record at Roland Garros, Stosur says matches are decided on her racquet more at the claycourt slam than anywhere else.

“With my weapons, I can use them maybe a bit more easily on this surface,” the 2011 US Open champion said.

She knows she must “bring it” against MattekSands, a competitor with a taste for the big stage.

Mattek-Sands showed there was no room for sentiment in ending Petra Kvitova’s emotional comeback in the second round.

With the first-round exit of world No.1 Angelique Kerber, this quarter of the draw is wide open.

But Stosur is only thinking of Mattek-Sands in her bit to reach the second week in Paris.