| Match: Not Started |
|---|
| S. Stosur (AUS) |
| D. Yastremska (UKR) |
Australian Samantha Stosur will aim to bury some demons and get her 16th Australian Open campaign underway as she takes on Dayana Yastremska in the first round. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 4pm (AEDT).
The gradual decline of Stosur has been tough to watch over the last few years, with the 34-year-old coming in this year unseeded and ranked way back at 73 in the world.
It’s been a tough run over the last year few years at her home grand slam as well, with exits in the first round the last two years and only one appearance beyond the second round since 2011.
The 2019 season hasn’t started well for the veteran either, with Stosur bombing out of the Brisbane International at the first hurdle and struggling in Sydney, only winning a single match in three sets before being rolled by Dominika Cibulkova.
Despite that, this first-round match at the Australian Open has seen the draw smile on her and realistically, it’s hard to see her falling at this hurdle, although the next one – likely to be Carla Suarrez Navarro – will be a proper test.
At the other end of the court is Dayana Yastremska. While she is rated as one of the better up and coming players, she is very prone to going off her game at different stages throughout matches.
The 18-year-old has shown some mixed form throughout the opening fortnight of 2019, failing to qualify in Brisbane and playing well in doubles at the Hobart International.
While Yastremska doesn’t have experience on her side, she does have a developing all court game, which, if she can get the serve of Stosur back in, she could use to challenge the Australian.
Prediction
Stosur is going to throw the monkey off the back so to speak here and get out of the first round at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2015 with what should be a pretty comprehensive victory.
Stosur in straight sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this first-round match at the Australian Open from around 4pm (AEDT) or at the conclusion of Laura Siegemund vs Victoria Azarenka on Melbourne Arena and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers mate, Agree - she is going to be good.
Simoc
Guest
Sorry to see this result. Wish I'de watched it as she might not come back. On the bright side Stosur is a Grand Slam womans champion in the professional era and I don't know of any other.
anon
Roar Pro
Go Milos!
anon
Roar Pro
Great call again, Scotty. I think we're seeing a big talent in the making. Given how shallow women's tennis is Yastremska will be top 10 by year's end.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 Australian Open as Samantha Stosur was eliminated in the first round by Dayana Yastremska. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'm off for a quick breather, then it'll be Nick Kyrgios and Milos Raonic taking to Melbourne Arena. Be sure to join me for that one.
anon
Roar Pro
Stosur is mentally brittle, but Yastremska has all the weapons. I see her as top 10 by the end of the year.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dayana Yastremska defeats Samantha Stosur in straight sets Samantha Stosur has crashed out of the Australian Open for the third time in a row, losing to 18-year-old Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska in straight sets. Stosur was up 5-2 in the first set at one point and playing phenomenal tennis, but struggled to hang onto her advantage, losing 11 of the next 13 games as Yastremska announced herself to the tennis world in stunning circumstances. Stosur........... 5 2 Yastremska... 7 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, DAYANA YASTREMSKA Fault. The second serve this time is out wide and returned on a chipped backhand, then Yastremska hits a huge forehand inside in to put the point away and advance to the second round, knocking Stosur out in the first round for the third year in a row at Melbourne Park. Stunning performance, coming back from 5-2 in the first set. Stosur........... 5 2 Yastremska... 7 6
anon
Roar Pro
Actually Yastremska was down 5-4 when I said Stosur would get rolled from here haha.
Carl
Guest
The monkey is turning into King Kong. She still plays doubles and mixed so she still is earning well.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yastremska now goes at the body. Return is a bit short, but Stosur saves one with good depth and Yastremska plays one long. Stosur........... 5 2 - 30 Yastremska... 7 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Down the T from Yastremska, then the Ukranian catches the sideline on a forehand. Two match points. Stosur........... 5 2 - 15 Yastremska... 7 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Yastremska. The second is returned well, but there is some huge hitting here, taking time away from Stosur who eventually sends a running backhand wide. Stosur........... 5 2 - 15 Yastremska... 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Yastremska. The second is returned on a forehand and Stosur goes up the line on a backhand, but sends it wide. Stosur........... 5 2 - 15 Yastremska... 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yastremska to serve for the match. She starts with a fault, then Stosur returns well and Yastremska hits a forehand down the line. Stosur........... 5 2 - 15 Yastremska... 7 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stosur with a fault, then one to the backhand wing which is returned wide. Stosur holds, but is still down a double break. Stosur........... 5 2 - Yastremska... 7 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great first serve in and Yastremska returns the backhand wide of the corner this time. Stosur........... 5 1 - 40 Yastremska... 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yastremska now returns a backhand with exceptional depth and goes on the attack, but swings a backhand wide. Stosur........... 5 1 - 30 Yastremska... 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Stosur. The second is down the middle and Yastremska hits a forehand up the line. Lovely footwork on that. Stosur........... 5 1 - 15 Yastremska... 7 5 - 30