Sam Stosur won’t let another early Brisbane International exit deter her, maintaining she is still good enough to go deep into the Australian Open draw next month.
The world No.41 was dismissed 6-1, 6-3 by seventh seed Anastasija Sevastova on Sunday, with the Aussie unable to penetrate the Latvian’s accurate serve.
The 2011 US Open champion and former world No.4 insists a second-week appearance in January is not beyond her.
“I think that’d be a pretty decent goal for me to make second week; I still think I’ve got it in me otherwise I don’t think I’d be doing this,” the 33-year-old said.
Stosur’s best efforts have come overseas, particularly at the US and French Opens where she has one title, one final, three semifinals and two quarterfinal appearances combined.
A run to this year’s French Open round of 16 was cruelled by a hand injury that interrupted her season.
While the pain of that injury may have passed, the buzz of performing on the biggest stage remains.
“I just want to try and win some more tournaments,” she said.
“Having that taste of a grand slam victory, you think, ‘Oh I’d like to do that again’.
“This year at the French when I was playing really well … that really keeps that drive going.”
Stosur said she wasn’t too concerned with her form in the first-round loss, albeit missing multiple chances to break back early in the first set.
“I didn’t feel too bad; she played a very good match, served exceptionally well,” Stosur said.
“I had a few break point opportunities and she came up with the goods every time.”
Sevastova will play either Sorana Cirstea or qualifier Jennifer Brady in the second round, before a possible clash with top seed Garbine Muguruza.
Australian world No.17 Ashleigh Barty begins her Brisbane campaign Monday night against Ukraine’s world No.42 Lesia Tsurenko.
But she won her opening doubles match with Casey Dellacqua on Sunday in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Madison Keys and Heather Watson to advance to the second round.