Stosur fluffs lines yet again

Samantha Stosur ... couldn't convert match point in Czech Republic. Source: RADEK MICA / AAP

It happened again. Sam Stosur's inability to close out matches has reached plague proportions after she blew a match point while leading world No.8 Petra Kvitova in Australia's Fed Cup quarter-final against the Czech Republic.

Stosur was leading 6-2 5-4 and was one point from victory when Kvitova drove a fast, deep second serve at the her and she couldn't get it back in court.

Kvitova then served her way out of trouble before a Stosur double fault helped the Czech secure the second-set tiebreak and roll on to take the match.

The capitulation follows Stosur's struggles the day one against Lucie Safarova, who took full advantage of a Stosur double-fault while facing a set point against the Aussie.

Stosur described the result as one of the best matches she's played in months, which says plenty.

Team captain Alicia Molik put on a brave face despite the defeat, saying the Aussies can retain a top-eight position.

"The result I don't think is a true reflection. We didn't win a match here against the Czech team, but gosh we could have ... we were right there,'' she said.

"We had the opportunity to win. But (the Czechs) bring their best tennis and you can see their team unity, I think that plays a part as well.''

The Czechs won the tie 4-0, meaning they progress to the semi-finals while Australia will face a playoff in April to remain in the world's top eight nations.

View the original article here