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Stosur bows to Muguruza in thriller

2 January 2017, by AAP

Sam Stosur quietly cursed herself on match point but had no regrets as she went down swinging in a 7-5 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 opening-round defeat to French Open champion Garbine Muguruza on Monday.

Despite holding a break in the final set, the former US Open champion succumbed to the world No.7 in a captivating two-hour, 45-minute affair on Pat Rafter Arena.

But it wasn’t due to an attack of nerves or failing to handle the pressure as the two heavy-hitting baseliners slugged it out.

In a replay of last year’s French Open semifinal, the Australian fought back superbly after losing the opening set to regain control, only to lose it again against the fourth-seeded Spaniard.

It was the Queenslander’s third first-round exit in seven appearances in Brisbane, but it was among her best performances at home as she played with aggression.

The chief frustration was succumbing after being poised for victory at 4-2 up in the third, before losing her serve as the French Open champion attacked and turned the momentum.

“I think today I played much, much, much better than what I played at the end of last year,” she said. “So there’s lots of positives to take from that.

“I’m really pleased with the way I played and competed and what I was able to do out there. I want to be that aggressive player.”

The 32-year-old, the oldest player in the tournament, was also left to rue missing three set points in the opener, as Muguruza reeled off eight of the next nine points.

Stosur called for new coach Josh Eagle at the break and the advice worked as she upped her aggression and went on to dominate the second-set tiebreaker and then broke immediately in the third.

Muguruza was highly relieved after scrapping her way back into the high-quality match.

“I think she played very well today,” the Spaniard said. “She served like a beast. My spirit was at the maximum level.”

Muguruza’s victory continues the success of the women’s seeds on day two of the tournament. Svetlana Kutznetsova, Roberta Vinci and Elina Svitolina also enjoyed first-round wins.

Sixth-seeded Ukrainian Svitolina, the only player to beat both world No.1s Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber last year, cruised past Olympic champion Monica Puig 6-3 6-3 to set up a second-round clash with American Shelby Rogers.

World No.9 Kutznesova also had little trouble in swatting aside American Louisa Chirico 6-2 6-4, while Italian Vinci was made to work all the way by qualifying lucky loser Kateryna Bondarenko 7-6 (4) 6-7 (4) 7-6 (5), saving five match points in the process.

American qualifier Asia Muhammad upset Croatian wildcard Donna Vekic 7-6 (5) 6-1.