Australian Open: Sam Stosur falls to US teen Caty McNally
Sam Stosur suffered another first-round defeat, her fifth in five years at the Australian Open.
Just hours after Coco Gauff ousted Venus Williams, her doubles partner Caty McNally delivered Sam Stosur another early Australian Open exit.
Despite the gulf in experience and performance, the fact the teenage sensations defeated their esteemed elders is scarcely a surprise, so great is the potential of the doubles partners.
Stosur fought particularly hard against McNally, who progressed to the main draw through qualifying, before succumbing 6-1 6-4 in her fifth opening-round loss in Melbourne in succession.
To give an example of the talent of the 18-year-old American, she managed to take a set off superstar Serena Williams when they clashed on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York at the US Open last September.
McNally, who said she watched Gauff for a period before her match against Stosur, possesses significant power on her serve and from the baseline. Encouragingly for her future prospects, she is also extremely adept at the net and shapes as a star of the future.
She said her second-round clash in New York against Williams on such a big stage was a perfect experience that helped her adjust to playing Stosur in front of a home crowd.
“It definitely helped me because I have never been on as big a stage as that,” she said.
“I think that was a great learning experience for me because it showed me where my game is at.”
Stosur’s defeat continued a disappointing opening day for the local hopefuls who managed to finish their matches before torrential rain struck Melbourne Park.
Lizzie Cabrera performed with great promise in Hobart last week before being edged by eventual champion Elena Rybakina in a quarter-final. Pitted against qualifier Ann Li on Monday, the 22-year-old from Townsville fought particularly hard but could not catch a break when it mattered most.
Cabrera served for the first set and then, after saving five match points in the second set tiebreaker to level at 10-all, was forced from the court by a brief rain delay.
Play lasted only two more points on resuming, with the Australian beaten 6-7 (4) 6-7 (10).
Earlier, Andrew Harris and John-Patrick Smith fell to seeded rivals in differing fashion.
Smith, who won a wildcard into the tournament, had his moments against 22nd seed Guido Pella in a 6-3 7-5 6-4 defeat.
On his grand slam debut, Harris was outclassed 6-3 6-1 6-3 by Matteo Berrettini, who reached the semi-finals of the US Open last September.
Qualifier Max Purcell showed promise against highly rated Italian teenager Jannick Sinner but was trailing 7-6 (2) 6-2 4-all when play was halted due to the weather.
The heavy rain that fell from mid-afternoon resulted in the cancellation of several matches that were scheduled to be played on outside courts.
16-year old Emerson Jones triumphs as Family Connection Takes Center Stage
World number one junior Emerson Jones made her Far North debut on Wednesday, but for the 16-year old with a bright future, it was an acknowledgment of the past shared with her older brother that was at the forefront of her performance.
WADA appeals World No.1’s doping decision, pursues ban
Jannik Sinner is “very disappointed” but confident after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision to clear him in his steroid case, seeking a ban of up to two years.