Samantha Stosur will take on Tsvetana Pironkova tonight as her quest for an Australian Open title continues, join us from 7.00pm for live scores and commentary.
Pironkova may not be a household name but the world number 57 is on a nine-match unbeaten streak in 2014 after becoming the first qualifier in three years to win a WTA Tour title in Sydney last week.
The pair have both progressed to the second round of the Australian Open in straight sets and it will be a tough ask for Stosur to restore our pride after the agony of Hewitt’s loss last night.
Stosur has beaten Pironkova the three times they have met previously and will be looking to make it four in a row if she can escape the nerves that have troubled her in the past.
At her best, Stosur has the potential to knock off world class opponents on the big stage, putting her grand slam hoodoo to sleep with an emphatic win over Serena Williams for the 2011 US Open title.
However it is often the lesser ranked opponents that have stood in her way, especially in front of a buzzing home crowd.
The world number 17 has made the fourth round of the Australian open just twice and never progressed further after 11 attempts at Melbourne Park.
If Stosur can remain level headed, get into net and keep her unforced errors down like she did against Zakopalova than she should end the Bulgaraian’s hot streak tonight.
Stosur in two.
Alan
Roar Guru
This is great from Stosur. Good on her.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Come on Sam !
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Sam Stosur is through to the third round where she awaits the winner of Anna Ivanovic and Annika Beck. The Australian showed some promising signs today breezing through her Bulgarian opponent in straight sets with some crushing groundstrokes and consistent serving. Our greatest hope for women's tennis is shaping up to be a real dark horse in this tournament. Well done Sam, see you next time.
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
GAME, SET, MATCH - SAMANTHA STOSUR 6-2 6-0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
4th match point for Stosur. Stosur 5 5 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Back to deuce, Stosur continuing to come to net. Stosur 5 5 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Pironkova claws it back to deuce with some good serving and brings up a game point for her self. Stosur 5 5 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
40-0 and three match points for Samantha Stosur. Stosur 5 5 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Pironkova trying to get herself back into the match but it's too little too late as Stosur holds serve with another forehand winner. Stosur 5 5 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
30-0, Stosur on serve and she is well out of first gear now. Stosur 5 4 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Powerful and heavy forehand winner for Stosur to bring up two break points but she only needs one after a double fault from Pironkova. Stosur 5 4 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Stosur racing away with it now in front of the home crowd, 0-30. Shanks a forehand to bring it back to 15-30. Stosur 5 3 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
An ace and Stosur consolidates the break. Stosur 5 3 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Stosur taking it to the Bulgarian now, driving her forehand into the depths of the court, 40-0 up. Stosur 5 2 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Two break chances for Stosur 40-15 and is putting together some great points, really working Pironkova around the court Stosur gets the second one. Stosur 5 2 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Interesting stat, Stosur has never lost a match at the Australian Open when she has won the first set. Up 0-15, the Pironkova forehand is starting to crumble. Stosur 5 1 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Stosur holds convincingly after setting herself up with a easy forehand put away. Stosur 5 1 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Back into now, Stosur up 30-0 in the first game. Stosur 5 0 Pironkova 2 0
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
Pironkova receiving treatment before the second set.
Charlie Drayton
Roar Guru
FIRST SET - SAM STOSUR 6-2.