Sam’s timing is just perfect
you know, it’s certainly not a hindrance.
“We can use that experience and, yeah, hopefully I can use everything and have another good tournament here.”
Stosur’s transformation from an Australian Open easybeat to a Parisian powerhouse on clay is both physical and mental.
“With my weapons (serve and forehand), I can use them maybe a bit more easily on this surface,” she said.
“I don’t know. Maybe I just feel a bit more confident this time of year.
“But at the end of the day, I know you’ve still got to bring it every single time.”
Like Stosur, Mattek-Sands loves European clay and has excelled in doubles and mixed doubles in Paris.
“She’s obviously one of the best doubles players in the world,” Stosur said after stopping Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.
“She’s going to want to try to be aggressive.
“We have played each other a few times in our careers but not for a while, I don’t think.
“I know she always tries to be on the front foot, be aggressive, probably move forward a bit, try to make a lot of plays herself.”
Stosur has strung together seven wins in a row and said the self-belief she derived from her title in Strasbourg last week had been critical.