The Cairns Post

Stosur will let aggro lift her to new level

- LEO SCHLINK

AUSSIE Sam Stosur is banking on a changed mindset to deliver a Wimbledon first – second-week singles action.

The 2011 US Open winner carries an 8-1 advantage over China’s Peng Shuai into the opening round with a possible second-phase clash with Daria Gavrilova a reward.

Making her 15th visit to the All England Club, Stosur is yet to survive the third round, tallying six-first round exits.

But a surge to the Mallorca Open semi-finals on grass with more aggressive tactics has left the former world No.4 hopeful.

“I feel really good. It’s probably some of the best tennis I’ve played on grass in recent years,” she said.

“I’ve just made a really conscious effort to try to stay up closer to the baseline and not do some of the things that I feel most comfortabl­e on clay.

“Josh (Eagle, coach) and I had a really good talk in Mallorca … he’s just been really good being kind of on me to stick with it and every single time, just play each point the way you now you kind of need to.

“I am actually enjoying it. Sometimes a little out of my comfort zone, what I’m trying to do, but it’s good, it’s fun.

“And I’ve really tried to have a different outlook on it than what I’ve had sometimes coming here and just enjoy it.

“If this is the way that I want to play, then no matter what that’s what I’m going to do.”

Stosur, Gavrilova, Ash Barty and Ajla Tomljanovi­c shoulder Australia’s women’s singles hopes.

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