Stosur in hunt for new coach after US Open exit

 

Originally published on: 28/08/13 00:00

The 2011 champion was unceremoniously bundled out of the tournament by American qualifier Victoria Duval, who claimed a shock 5-7 6-4 6-4 victory on Tuesday.

Stosur was playing her first match since parting company with Taylor less than a fortnight ago, and the hunt for a new coach begins, having teamed up with Australian Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik in the interim.

"It certainly wasn't the preparation I've been used to,'' Stosur admitted. "But everything happens for a reason. Things happen when they happen. I can't change it. I went into it. I was prepared as what I could be. Unfortunately, I got this result.''

Stosur, who failed to make it past the third round at any of this season’s Grand Slams, is set to slide down the rankings after her humiliating defeat to the world No.296.

The 28-year-old was left to ponder what might have been after she led 7-5 4-2, but 56 unforced errors ultimately proved costly.

"By far I didn't do enough from 3-0 up [and] 4-2 up in the second,'' she said. "Yeah, I just let every single opportunity slip away, made way too many errors. At the end of the day, it really cost me.''

For Duval, it was a memorable victory 12 months after being overwhelmed by Kim Clijsters on her Grand Slam debut.

"I definitely think that getting to the next level in tennis is being able to go after your shots," Duval said. "These girls hit really hard. I wouldn't have pulled it off today if I wasn't confident in my shots. I was willing to take that risk and it really paid off."

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