STOSUR’S FRENCH REDEMPTION BID
TENNIS STAR EYES PARIS SLAM SUCCESS
INSPIRED by a second Strasbourg title, Sam Stosur is confident she can overcome fatigue and a quick turnaround to make a deep French Open run.
Elated after denying compatriot Daria Gavrilova in a gruelling three-set final to retain the Australian No.1 ranking, Stosur set her sights on Roland Garros.
She had no time to celebrate her eighth singles crown, catching a train to Paris to prepare for a first-round match with Slovakian Kristina Kucova, who she has never faced.
“It’s a very quick turnaround. Hopefully we haven’t tired each other out too much,” the Gold Coaster said after clinching a 2hr 46min final.
Stosur vindicated the decision to take a wildcard into Strasbourg, securing an extension to her record 450-week stint as Australian No.1.
Runner-up at the French Open in 2010 and a semi-finalist three other times, Stosur senses opportunity and danger in equal measure without Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.
“It’s a little bit different maybe with the top seeds (missing) but everyone’s still bloody good regardless of those two players being there or not,” said Stosur.
“It’s not easy to win a slam (tournament). You can only play the person on the other side of the net. That’s hard enough without worrying about who’s not there.”
Of Kucova, Stosur said: “I’ve watched her play a little bit. She’s been doing pretty well this year and it’s one of those matches where I know I have to play well, compete well and be aggressive with my game.”
Crushed by a late-match implosion against Stosur, Gavrilova believes she can excel on her best surface in Paris.
“It was a great tournament for me in Strasbourg,” she said.
“I had a really good five matches.
“I don’t think I need to stress about getting ready for Roland Garros. I’m ready to go, I’m feeling confident.”
Ajla Tomljanovic returns to grand slam action after serious injury with a protected ranking and will challenge last season’s semi-finalist and 16th seed Kiki Bertens.
Victorian teenager Jamie Fourlis, winner of Tennis Australia’s wildcard play-off, will take on former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki.
John Millman is the only Australian man involved tonight, facing Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
Crowning a banner day for Australian tennis, Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua landed the Strasbourgh doubles title with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over top seeds Hao-Ching Chan and Yung-Jan Chan.
EVERYONE’S STILL BLOODY GOOD REGARDLESS OF THOSE TWO PLAYERS BEING THERE OR NOT SAM STOSUR