Sam Stosur, the host nation’s top shot at Grand Slam glory, may have bumbled out of the Australian Open on Friday night, but Casey Dellacqua remains as the only Aussie into the round of 16.
For the first time in her last 16 appearances, Stosur took a one-set lead but failed to complete the victory, losing to 14th seed Ana Ivanovic 6-7 (8-10) 6-4, 6-2.
“At the moment it’s disappointing, but I have to say that I’m proud of the way I was able to play out there,” she said.
“If you’re going to lose, for sure it’s better when you don’t feel like you beat yourself and you kind of did things that you know you shouldn’t or whatever it is.
“So, again, yeah, I’m disappointed, but I can still look back on that match and think that I played well and got beaten by a good player.
The former US Open winner’s power game was on full display in the first set as she produced serves at speeds of 185km/h and forcing her Serbian opponent around the court. Down 6-3 in tiebreaker, Stosur captured the next four points to claim a gutsy first set, but she was never the same after a rain delay stopped proceedings.
Casey Dellacqua matched her best effort at a Grand Slam when she powered past a former Aussie Open semi-finalist in Zheng Jie.
Stosur moved in the last 16 with a 6-2 6-4 win, trying her previous best effort at the 2008 Australian Open.
Dellacqua was able to deal with the sweltering conditions better than her Chinese counterpart, who needed a medical timeout at one point during the second set.
The break seemed to distract Dellacqua, enabling Zheng to tie up proceedings 4-4 before Dellacqua was able record another break in the ninth game to get back on track and close out the victory.
Next up Dellacqua for is 30th seed Eugenie Bouchard.
“It’s going to be a tough one. [Bouchard] is a great player, she’s had really good results of late,” said the Western Australian.
“She’s seeded here, she’s on the rise, she’s playing some really great tennis but so am I.”
Serena Williams found no difficulty booking a spot in the tournament’s fourth round, defeating Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-3.
The world No.1 appears in good shape despite the consistent, torrid Melbourne heat.
“It’s tough mentally and physically but I was prepared,” said Williams after defeating the tournament’s 31st seed.
Williams advances to play Ivanovic.
Ninth seed Angelique Kerber also moved past the third round with a 6-3 6-4 win over American Alison Riske. She will face Italian 28th seed Flavia Pennetta in the next stage.
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