Tennis: Stosur advances in Cincinnati Masters

Australian survives scare to reach third round.

CINCINNATI: Reigning US Open champion Samantha Stosur worked for two-and-a-half-hours before finally overcoming Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 to reach the third round at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters hardcourt tournament.

“That’s a good feeling when you feel the crowd is behind you and willing you on to try,” said the Australian Stosur. “Myself, and I’m sure a lot of the other players, are still trying to find that timing from being on the grass for so long — on good hard courts with the ball bouncing up, and it’s really quite light through the air.

“I guess I’ll find out more when I lie down in bed how achy and I sore I am. I played some long matches lately and pulled up well. Hopefully this will be no different.”

Stosur was also wary of her title defence at the US Open fast approaching.

“Everyone is talking about the US Open again. I feel like it has come by pretty fast. It’s always like you’re looking forward to going back there the year after you win for sure.”

Meanwhile, Australian Bernard Tomic booked a third-round spot, the teen’s 6-4, 6-3 defeat of American Brian Baker settling up a likely meeting with Roger Federer.

“If I get the chance to play Roger, It will be very interesting,” said the world number 49, the only teen in the top 50. “I played him in the Australian Open fourth round and learned a lot from that match.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2012.