2012 U.S. Open Player Previews: Samantha Stosur

We profile 12 of the top title contenders at the 2012 U.S. Open.

Tinted sports shades hide Samantha Stosur’s eyes like a shield. It’s an appropriate look for an enigmatic player who can be pretty tough to read. When Stosur launches defense of her US Open title, her play will be scrutinized for identity clues. Will we see the commanding Stosur who crushed Serena Williams in the 2011 final, or will the uncertain player who failed to surpass the second round in six of her first eight US Open appearances show up instead? The Aussie’s hellacious kick serve that can handcuff opponents with its shoulder-high bounce and her whiplash forehand enables her to dictate play against most when she’s on her game. Because she regularly gives up wide sections of the court to run around her backhand and fire her favored forehand, she is vulnerable to opponents who can hit deep and hard to her forehand, then force her to hit her weaker backhand on the run.

Why She’ll Win:

Stosur is extremely fit, and she’s returning to the scene of her greatest tournament triumph. If you can sweep Serena in a major final, you have to believe you’re in with a shot against anyone.  

Why She Won’t:

Stosur tends to tighten beneath the burden of expectation. Her backhand can become a stiff poke under pressure, and the fast court can create timing issues for the sizeable cut she takes on the forehand.  

Bottom Line:

She played transcendent tennis winning the title last year, but Stosur can’t fly under the radar this year. If she can manage her nerve and hold serve, she has a chance to once again be very dangerous.

More U.S. Open Player Previews:

**Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic  

Andy Murray  

David Ferrer  

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga  

Juan Martin del Potro**

**Victoria Azarenka

Agnieszka Radwanska  

Maria Sharapova  

Serena Williams  

Petra Kvitova  

Samantha Stosur**