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Stosur’s best days likely behind her: Woodbridge

Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge says he’s unsure how much longer Samantha Stosur will continue her career after her disappointing first-round exit from the Australian Open.

Stosur lost in straight sets to qualifier Kristyna Pliskova on Monday night.

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“I’m not sure how much longer she could play with that level because that would become frustrating when you’ve played at higher levels than what we saw,” Woodbridge told SEN on Tuesday.

“I thought last night was a real disappointment. She didn’t play anywhere near to the level she is capable of.”

It was the first time since 2012 Stosur has tumbled out of the tournament without winning a set.

Her best performances at Melbourne Park came in 2006 and 2010 when she made the fourth round.

Woodbridge said in previous years the pressure and expectation of her home grand slam may have weighed on Stosur, but Monday night’s performance suggested bigger problems with her game.

“I thought this summer – I called every one of her matches in Brisbane, Sydney and last night – she just has not been hitting the ball very well,” Woodbridge said.

“She’s not playing as solid tennis as she was previously.

“She’s (almost) 32 years of age and I wonder whether that now if her best tennis could be past her – that’s quite a possibility.”

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