Sam Stosur’s struggles continue as Gavrilova wins again

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• May 3rd 2017
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Daria Gavrilova.

SAMANTHA Stosur has crashed out of the Prague Open in straight sets to world No. 144 Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Stosur, the world No. 19 and fourth seed, fell to the Brazilian qualifier 6-3 6-2 in 78 minutes.

The 33-year-old former US Open champion has twice been a runner-up on the Prague clay, losing to Israel’s Shahar Pe’er in 2006 and Lucie Safarova last year. Stosur lost in the first round in Stuttgart last week following back-to-back round of 16 exits in Charleston and Miami.

Samantha Stosur followed up her failure in Stuttgart by imploding in Prague.Source:Getty Images

Daria Gavrilova’s strong recent form has continued with a straight-sets win over Belgium’s Elise Mertens at the Morocco Open.

The world No. 26 won 6-2 6-1 in the second round in Rabat to set up a quarter- final date with Italy’s Sara Errani, who took three sets to oust American eighth seed Alison Riske.

Daria Gavrilova.Source:Getty Images

Varvara Lepchenko and Lauren Davis both also advanced on Wednesday, as did former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

With 280 rankings points on offer in Morocco, a maiden tournament victory could see third seed Gavrilova move within touching distance of Samantha Stosur as Australia’s top-ranked player.

Originally published as New low for Stosur, Gavrilova rolls on