Aussie tennis star Sam Stosur has claimed her second title on the ladies circuit this year, taking out the Japan Women’s Open against Eugenie Bouchard. Stosur had to come from a set down against the Canadian teenager but was able to close out the final 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a little under two hours.
Stosur had to use all of her fighting qualities to get past Bouchard. After giving up the first set, the second seemed destined for a tie-break, with neither player able to break serve. However at 5-5 the third seed took her game to another level and reeled off seven of the next eight points to close out the set.
The Queenslander’s serve and powerful forehand was proving too hot to handle for the world No.35. Stosur managed to get an early break in the decider and from there was never headed, claiming the next three games and eventually going on to lift the trophy.
“It was a really tough match today. I'm very, very happy to win,” Stosur said. “I thought Genie played very well.
“She had game point at 5-all in the second set and went for the drive volley and missed it wide, and then I played a very good service game to win the set – that was probably the turning point.”
The win is Stosur’s fifth career title and the second time she has won in Osaka. The former US Open champ had won the inaugural edition of the tournament back in 2009. She is the first two-time winner and now holds an impressive 19-3 career record at the event.
The win is a much needed boost for Stosur after she parted ways with long-time coach David Taylor in August. The 29-year-old has seen her world ranking drop to 19 after an inconsistent year but will hope to continue to finish the season on a high.
“It's obviously great to win, but it feels better knowing you really had to fight for it. I'm really excited about my second title here, and also the first time to win two titles in a year. It's just great.”
Stosur later came back out on court to contest the doubles final but unfortunately was unable to repeat her comeback heroics. The Aussie and her partner Zhang Shuai went down to No.2 seeds Kristina Mladenovic and Flavia Pennetta in straight sets.
Damien Bellemore