Roberta Vinci, who stunned Serena Williams in the semifinals at the 2015 U.S. Open, says that she wants to enter the Top 10 for the first time before she retires.
The U.S. Open finalist is planning to hang up her racquets after this season.
Currently ranked No. 15, the Italian reached No. 11 after making it into the fourth round at the French Open in 2013. But she had to defend a fair amount of points and was unable to reach the Top 10.
Now, the 32-year-old thinks she has another shot. In 2015, she lost in the first round in New Zealand, reached the quarterfinals at the small event in Hobart and lost in the second round in Australia.
“I’m confident right now,” Vinci said. “I'm 15 in the world right now and try my best to reach the Top 10. This is my goal. I know (it) is not easy, but I would like to enjoy this year, no pressure; try my best, improve every single day, every single tournament, everything.”
Vinci overcame Jelena Jankovic in the first round at Brisbane, and then crushed Dominika Cibulkova, 6-1, 6-1. She will face Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals.
Vinci added that after upsetting Williams at the U.S. Open last September, more fans have begun to notice her.
“Yesterday or two days ago when I practice, someone say, ‘Oh, she beat Serena; she's the player,” Vinci said. “So it's nice. I'm really appreciate.”