Stosur on a high despite Wimbledon exit

Australia's Samantha Stosur is feeling in the form of her life, despite a Wimbledon run that failed to emulate her shock breakthrough to the French Open semi-finals.

A former doubles world number one with 24 titles to her name, Stosur insisted her decision to kick on with her singles game was paying dividends.

On a career-high ranking of 18 after reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros, the 25-year-old is adamant that there is much more to come.

"It's definitely been my best year ever," the Australian number one told AFP.

"I've been a lot more consistent with my results and I think as far as my game goes, I've really taken it up a step and I feel a lot more confident when I'm out on the court, I know exactly what I'm doing.

"There's still things I want to work on but for sure this has been my best year." Stosur went out of the Wimbledon singles in the third round, beaten 7-5, 6-2 on Saturday by 13th seed Ana Ivanovic.

Despite failing to match her French Open run, she is nonetheless thrilled with how her season is going.

"The third round compared to a semi-final is not great but it's the furthest I've ever got at Wimbledon so it's something to be happy with," the Brisbane-born right-hander said.

"I'm pleased that I finally got past the second round, but it's not quite where I wanted to get to.

"There's lots of things to be happy with. I'm playing really well at the moment. A loss is always disappointing but if you look at the big picture, the last month has been fantastic for me and that's what I'm going to try to look to and build upon."

Stosur won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title last year with American doubles master Bob Bryan and is back to defend the trophy.

They face Argentinian pair Lucas Arnold Ker and Gisela Dulko in the second round.

Though doubles have brought her the vast majority of her titles, Stosur said she has no regrets about deciding to work hard on her singles play.

"I've always considered myself a singles player, I've just had good success in doubles, which is great - you enter a tournament and win it, that's fantastic," she said.

"But the priority's definitely singles, it has been my whole career. But this year, especially, I really decided that's what I want to do and I don't want to regret not making that decision and I think it's definitely paying off.

LONDON, Sunday, AFP