Samantha Stosur aims to finish season in style at star-studded Hong Kong Tennis Open
Former US Open winner joins Venus Williams and Victoria Azarenka at US$250,000 event
Hard-hitting former US Open winner Samantha Stosur is looking for a big finish to the season after joining the line-up for next month’s US$250,000 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open.
I have been lucky enough to play in Hong Kong before. It is such a vibrant city with so much to do
The 31-year-old Australian has added her name to a star-studded draw that includes fellow grand slam tournament winners Venus Williams and Victoria Azarenka, and returning champion Sabine Lisicki. “I am so excited to be playing in Hong Kong,” she said. “I have been lucky enough to play in Hong Kong before. It is such a vibrant city with so much to do. My form is picking up so I am looking to finish the season really strongly.”
Stosur – ranked 22nd in the world – won the US Open in 2011, crushing Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 in the final, but was this year bounced out in the fourth round by Flavia Pennetta, the Italian surprise who went on to win Sunday’s final in straight sets over compatriot Roberta Vinci.
Famed for her fearsome groundstrokes, Stosur has won eight titles in her career and reached her highest world ranking of four in 2011.
She joins American seven-time grand slam singles title winner Venus Williams and two-time Australian Open winner Azarenka of Belarus for this year’s event, which will also mark the return of 2014 champion Lisicki, the German taking the Hong Kong crown with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Czech Karolina Pliskova.
