Sam looks towards Serena

Sam looks towards Serena

23 Jan 2010
AAP

Samantha Stosur is gunning for world No.1 and defending champion Serena Williams after storming into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Italian Alberta Brianti.

Australia’s world No.13 outclassed Brianti 6-4 6-1 in just 72 minutes at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday to reach the last 16 at the Open for the second time.

Williams can confirm a Monday appointment with Stosur later on Saturday with victory over Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro.

After squandering a series of match points against Williams in Sydney last year, Stosur turned the tables on the American superstar with a breakthrough triumph over the 11-time Grand Slam champion in Stanford in July.

“We’ve had a couple of close matches the last two times we’ve played and, yeah, I got the last one so I’m going to ride with that and go into the match feeling pretty confident,” Stosur said.

“I know I’m going to have to play extremely well to try and beat her and I’m going to give it my best shot and hopefully I can do well.”

After a scratchy start, Stosur produced a hugely impressive serving display to completely dominate the 73rd-ranked Brianti.

The 25 year old thundered down 11 aces in just nine service games and landed 77 per cent of her powerful first deliveries.

“It’s recently been a bigger goal of mine to try and get a better percentage on my first serve and today I did that well and was still going for it and hit a few aces as well,” Stosur said.

“So it makes it easier as well to play out here, that’s for sure, when you’re getting a lot of first serves in.”

A proven frontrunner, French Open semifinalist Stosur has never lost a Grand Slam match after winning the first set.

But she has found herself in a few dogfights in recent times and was determined not to slacken off after recovering from a service break down to snatch the first set on Saturday.

“My coach constantly tells me I have to keep my foot down when I’m winning, so I tried to do that today and pulled it off,” Stosur said.

“It’s something I’ve been trying to work on. So very pleased.”

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  • Drine

    Come on Sam !!! You already beat Serena in Stanford and had a close one in Sydney last year, so this is certainly not mission impossible !!! Believe in yourself and your game and it can be a great match ;)
    You have indeed the game to beat her. Not to mention the support of all your fans and of the home crowd !!! We all believe in you :))
    Good luck Sammy !!!

  • Dean

    Great game Sam a well deserved win looking forward to the next round.if you keep up this great performance you will be in the top 10 rankings very soon once again congratulations on your win.

  • Wanda

    Well done Samantha! Extremely looking forward to seeing your next match on TV! Bring on Serena! Good Luck!

  • jill72

    Awesome effort Sam! Goodluck with the rest of the tournament. . . .

  • Lisa

    Great match today, fantastic serving!! Good luck against Serena. Love your work Sam!!

  • Sunsets

    Fantastic match today. The 1st set was a bit nerve-wracking but the 2nd set was amazing. The level you showed in the 2nd set was like the level you showed against Caroline in Osaka and it was awesome to watch. Hopefully you'll bring that game against Serena on Monday, eh? =). All the best, Sammy.

    xx

  • Alsvartr

    Nice work Samantha ! Your service was awesome ! Show to serena who's the Best ! Good luck ! You're the best !
    Cheers from France !

  • ai

    Congratulations Sam! Good luck against Serena.
    You can do it!
    Enjoy it :)

  • Jaime94

    Revenge is a kiss, that this time you won't miss

  • Sarah

    Why don´t you bother Serena a little bit ? ;) Good luck!!

  • tekkirby

    Kick Bum Samantha …. I live in the USA and pulling for your 400% against Serena. I adopted AUS in early 1980s. TEK

  • Glenn

    Sam – go for it – you've got what it takes. I doubt theres a fitter athlete in Womens Tennis.

  • Simi

    Hi Sam, well done against Briant!!! I think you handled all the distractions with the rain and the roof in that first set pretty well and then the 2nd set was incredibly awesome. You proved you can cope with all the expections and the pressure. I´m proud of you.
    And now you can swing freely against Serena… You ain´t got nothing to lose!

  • tommy

    good luck sam, don't quite have a ticket, but i'm sure i can get in without one :o)

  • Sam

    Well done Sam. You played brilliantly in the second set at 1 all. If you serve and play like hat today against Serena then you will win. She is not the best mover ofr the fittest keep her moving but do not go for wnners too early in the rally and play percentage play, you do not have to play near the lines! Concentrate on the placement of the serve, the speed is not so important. remember Serena loves a hard ball hit at her, try to hit loopy balls deep to the back and forehand. Bring her in to the net and pass her. She is not good at the net. If you try and mix the speed up then you will win as Serena is not good a generating her own pace infact the slower you play the ball the more likely you are to win. If conchita martinez could return to the tour that is the sort of person Serena would not be able to play as she mixed the ball up well. Sure David has told you all this. Good luck I will be watching in the UK at approximately 5am in the morning,

  • Drine

    What a performance from Serena !!! She served extremely well today so there's really nothing you could do. You've had some chances but Serena came strong with some amazing serves…..
    You'll have further occasions to beat her Sam ;)
    I hope you're not too disappointed, keep working, I'm sure this year will be fantastic !!! :)
    You're the best !!!

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