By Erik Gudris | Thursday, January 20, 2022
Australian veteran and former US Open singles champion Sam Stosur played her final career singles match in an emotional Australian Open second round.
No. 10 seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova proved too solid as she easily defeated Stosur 6-2, 6-2 to reach the round of 32.
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Both players shared a warm embrace up at the net after the final point, with Pavlyuchenkova leading the crowd in a standing ovation for Stosur.
"It was great to play out here again, thank you for everyone coming out," said the 37-year old Stosur afterward who was playing in her 20th Australian Open. "It's a really special moment for me, so thank you for coming and sharing it. "I've done more than I ever thought was possible.
"I mean, I dreamed of winning a Grand Slam, and doing close to the things I did. So to do what I've done, (what I was) dreaming as a little kid, I think is phenomenal. I couldn't have asked for any more.
An on-court ceremony, that included a video tribute from several WTA and ATP players made the usually stoic Stosur a bit emotional afterwards. Stosur's parents, partner, and friends also joined in the celebration.
Stosur's singles career is best known for her stellar run to the 2011 US Open singles championship where she defeated Serena Williams for the title. Stosur also reached the 2010 Roland Garros final that saw her beat Justine Henin and Serena Williams along the way before losing to an inspired Francesca Schiavone.
As a singles player, Stosur reached a career high ranking of World No. 4 and won nine WTA singles titles.
Stosur is one of Australia's most celebrated and successful players. She is one of only six Australian women to win a Major singles title in the Open era, including Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Chris O'Neil and current World No. 1 Ash Barty.
Contesting her 20th AO, Stosur will now focus exclusively on doubles, where she enjoys much success. Last September, she and her doubles partner Zhang Shuai won the US Open women's doubles title. They are currently the No. 4 seeds at this year's Australian Open.
Photo credit: Getty