Stosur battles back to advance in Cincinnati Masters

CINCINNATI, Ohio: Australian Samantha Stosur, the reigning US Open champion, worked for 2 1/2 hours Tuesday before finally overcoming Anabel Medina Garrigues of 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 to reach the third round at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters hardcourt tournament.

"That's a good feeling when you feel the crowd is behind you and willing you on to try and, you know, play a little bit better and hopefully win the match," Stosur said.

"Myself, and I'm sure a lot of the other players, are still trying to find that timing from being on the grass for so long -- on good hard courts with the ball bouncing up, and it's really quite light through the air.

"I guess I'll find out more when I lay down in bed how achey and I sore I am. I played some long matches lately and pulled up well. Hopefully this will be no different."

Stosur realises that her New York title defense is fast approaching.

"All of a sudden you get to an America and obviously there is that hype and we have the big leadup tournaments," she said.

"Everyone is talking about the US Open again. I feel like it has come by pretty fast. Always going to look forward to going back there the year after you win for sure."

Australian Bernard Tomic booked a third-round spot, the teen's 6-4, 6-3 defeat of American Brian Baker settling up a likely meeting with Roger Federer.

The top-seeded Swiss, going for a fourth trophy in the US Midwest, still has to win his opening encounter Wednesday against Alex Bogomolov of Russia.
(AFP)