Samantha Stosur treated the blue US Open court like open highway today.
Stosur sped past Evgeniya Rodina, 6-1, 6-1, in just 51 minutes racing into the US Open third round for the fourth time.
On court, the 22nd-seeded Aussie has been in cruise control. Stosur has dropped serve just once in two tournament wins.
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Off court, she's been spinning her wheels a bit.
It seems being a former US Open champion doesn't always carry the perks you might think. The 2011 US Open champion requested a courtesy car for a morning practice earlier this week, Stosur said the request was denied.
"Didn't help or hinder me in any way, shape, or form today going out to play. But, yeah, when you are still in the tournament you try and book a car they say you can't have one before 10 a.m. because you don't have a match, I don't think it's good enough," Stosur said. "It's not just me. There have been many players in that situation. It's a Grand Slam. It's one of the biggest tournaments in the world. You got to be able to provide transport to players when they need it."
Asked if she thought world No. 1 Serena Williams had a courtesy car on call, Stosur replied: "I'd say so. She kicked me off my practice court yesterday, too. A few issues, but it's all right."
The higher you reside in the rankings, the more plentiful the perks—from show-court status, to procuring practice courts to access to courtesy cars. Stosur said once you've reaped the benefits of Top 10 status, it serves as added incentive to regain them.
"Definitely getting practice courts that you want—I'm not talking about this tournament. I'm talking about in general," Stosur said of fringe benefits for Top 10 players. "Yeah, you get practice courts more often when you want by yourself with your coach. You don't have to share. You just get priority over, you know, many different things. Like I said, you're the best in the world, so you deserve little perks along the way if you can get them. Once you get them and then they go away, you want to get yourself back in there to keep getting them."
Practice court time should be easier to come by now that she's playing for a return trip to the round of 16. Next up for Stosur is a third-round clash with Sara Errani.
The 31-year-old Aussie has won five of seven meetings with the 16th-seeded Italian, including a straight-sets win at the 2010 US Open. Errani has prevailed in their last two meetings, including a three-set win in the 2012 Roland Garros semifinals.
Photo credit: US Open/USTA