Long time between drinks for our Sam

SAM Stosur’s ageless qualities were on show at the US Open with another doubles grand slam title over an opponent who had chased her for an autograph years earlier.

American Coco Gauff revealed Stosur, 37, was the first professional tennis player to give her an autograph.

Gauff, 17, and Catherine Mcnally, 19, impressed in their first grand slam final before coming up short against the experience of Stosur and China’s Zhang Shuai 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

It was the pair’s second title after the 2019 Australian Open and Stosur’s fourth career doubles crown.

Gauff was just one year old when Stosur won her first US Open title, the women’s doubles championship with Lisa Raymond in 2005.

The Australian won her biggest singles title in Flushing Meadows in 2011, beating Serena Williams in the final.

“Little bit of a scary thought,” Stosur said after learning about the Gauff autograph.

“They just play fearless. Credit to them. I think they’re a really great team. Again, no doubt they’re going to be back in situations like this, challenging for titles.

“(But) not just yet. Not today. I can’t believe I’m standing here with this trophy again 16 years later.”

The victory took the winning streak of Stosur and Zhang (pictured) to 11 matches after capturing last month’s title at Cincinnati.

Gauff and Mcnally, who were the No.11 seeds, had been looking to add the US Open doubles title to the juniors one they won together in 2018.

“I know that we’ll be grand slam champions eventually,” Gauff said.