Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Saturday, 31 December 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Samantha Stosur’s dramatic US Open final triumph - dousing a fired-up Serena Williams and frenzied New York crowd on the most emotional of American anniversaries - has the Queenslander supremely confident of finally coping with home pressure this summer.
Stosur’s memorable straight-sets September 11 upset of Williams at Flushing Meadows not only delivered her first grand slam but the belief she can succeed on the biggest stage and overcome the toughest of mental hurdles.
The world No.6, who begins her Australian Open build-up on Monday night at the Brisbane International, has annually struggled to handle the expectation and feverish support in Australia.
Two fourth-round finishes in 2006 and 2010 remain her best results at Melbourne Park, while she hasn’t made it past the second round in two tilts at the Gold Coaster’s “home” tournament in Brisbane.
Stosur on Friday admitted she’d love nothing more than finally starting a calendar year with a bang in front of home fans, and would draw on her New York breakthrough to make it happen.
“I’ve never had a great summer here, so hopefully I can turn it all around in 2012,” the 27-year-old said.
“Playing in the final of the US Open, there’s probably no bigger pressure, or bigger moment, than what I may have to handle in the next month.
“I came through that and know I was able to do it then, so why can’t I do it again? “I know I can draw on that from the past to help me handle whatever comes my way over the next few weeks.” Stosur will be top seed in Brisbane and is on a semi-final collision course with a vengeance-seeking Williams, who is seeded fourth. The American world No.12 hasn’t played since the US Open final, marred by her insulting outburst against Greek chair umpire Eva Asderaki that stopped Stosur’s momentum before she swiftly won it back for a 6-2 6-3 shutout.
Stosur knows Williams, who has lost only four of her 17 grand slam final appearances, will be gunning for her - both in Brisbane and Melbourne.
“I know she’s going to be ready to go,” she said. “I don’t think Serena goes into any match without the motivation to win.
“Every single time you play her it’s a really tough match. I got the better of her last time and we’ll see what happens next time.”
With the US Open finalists in the top half of the Brisbane draw, tournament officials are desperate to see fellow drawcard and fifth seed Kim Clijsters fall on the other side of the draw when it’s conducted on Saturday morning.
