Stosur looks to break 30-year Aussie wait

Big-hitting Samantha Stosur is hoping her booming service power, described as being like a man’s by a rival, will make her the first Australian woman to reach a French Open final for 30 years. Not since 1979, when Wendy Turnbull was defeated in straight sets by Chris Evert, has an Australian woman contested the Roland Garros title match, while it’s been 36 years since the last Aussie winner, Margaret Smith-Court.

Stosur, the 30th seed, faces unseeded Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the last eight on Wednesday where a win will make her the first Australian in a French Open semi-final since Nicole Provis in 1988.

The 25-year-old’s power could prove crucial in the last-eight tie. “She serves like a man,” said Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano, who won just three games in her defeat to Stosur in the fourth round.

PARIS, Tuesday, AFP