PARIS—Samantha Stosur says reuniting with coach David Taylor has helped her significantly. After working together for six years, the two parted ways in August 2013, but resumed their partnership this April. Stosur had worked with Miles Maclagan and Simon Rea during 2014 and part of 2015; she made the move to Taylor after failing to win two consecutive matches from January through March.
The former U.S. Open champion is improving of late, having reached the round of 16 in Madrid (losing 7-6 in the third set to Svetlana Kuznetsova), and last week winning the International Series tournament in Strasbourg.
“It’s got something to do with it probably,” Stosur said about their success. “Just knowing what obviously you do best and then how you’re going to make that happen time and time again.”
Stosur has reached the third round of Roland Garros, where she’ll play defending champion Maria Sharapova. In her first two matches, she defeated Madison Brengle, 6-1, 6-3, and Amandine Hesse, 6-0, 6-1.
“Today playing [Hesse], it was pretty clear straight up what I had to do, so I just tried to stick to that every game and go for it every single time,” said Stosur. “I tried to work on a couple of little serve-volley things and couple other things as the match went on, feeling like you're in control of the match. Doing what comes pretty naturally is a good feeling.”
Taylor is also working with Ajla Tomljanovic in an arrangement with Tennis Australia.
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