Oz tennis legend Margaret Court tips Stosur to win French Open title

Sydney, June 3(ANI): Australian tennis legend Margaret Court has backed World No. 7 Samantha Stosur to snap the country's 37-year drought at the French Open following her spectacular run in the tournament so far.

Stosur, fresh from victory over four-time champion Justine Henin on Monday, produced another fighting performance to defeat World No. 1 Serena Williams at the Rolland Garros quarterfinals 6-2, 6-7 (2), 8-6.

"I think she can win. She's playing with a lot more confidence than before. She's always had the strokes. It's been more about what's in her head in the past. Now she believes she can win, which is a big thing," The Herald Sun quoted Court, as saying.

"I'd say her wins over Justine Henin and Serena Williams were matches where she had nothing to lose. Now she's expected to win, which makes it tougher, but I think she can do it," she added.

Talking about Stosur's performance against Williams, Court said:

"I thought Sam did very well to get out of it after having her opportunity to serve out the match (at 5-4) in the second set. She hung in there, which is the main thing. The main thing is who wins the last point and that's what she did."

Court is the last Australian player to triumph at the French Open, defeating American Chris Evert in 1973.

Stosur will now play Jelena Jankovic in the last four, while Francesca Schiavone faces Elena Dementieva in the other semi. (ANI)