Argentina’s Gisela Dulko eliminated Australia’s
Samantha Stosur in the 3rd round of the 2011 French Open in 3-sets, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
The 26-year-old Dulko, ranked No. 51, broke Stosur’s serve in the first and third games of the match, slashing inside-out backhands for winners and a forehand so deep it forced the Australian to hit a backhand long.
Stosur, seeded No. 8 and a finalist in last year’s French, trailed 0-4 before she recovered her composure and confidence. It was too late to retrieve the first set, but the agile Australian ran out the second set, 6-1, in just 31 minutes.
Again, the Argentine, who holds four singles titles at lesser tournaments (and 17 doubles crowns), kept up the pressure. When Stosur’s final forehand shanked off the tip of her racket and sailed into the stands, Dulko dropped her racket and danced in joy. It was her biggest singles victory and a ticket to the fourth round.
After the match, she held up a banner which translates to “For Myla and Teo, it was worth it, I love them.” Dulko’s brother and coach Alejandro Dulko became the father of twins Myla and Teo on Thursday.
