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SAMANTHA Stosur embarks on tennis's version of Mission Impossible today when the big local hope launches her Australian Open campaign at Melbourne Park.
As if opening up against an opponent who whipped her three days earlier isn't unnerving enough, the tennis gods have thrust Stosur into a landmine section of the draw headed by world No.1 Serena Williams.
Already psychologically battered from years of flops at her home grand slam, Stosur will now likely need to beat the winners of all three major lead-up events just to make the quarter-finals.
That's if she can first get past Klara Zakopalova today.
The veteran Czech upended the Australian No.1 in straight sets in the Hobart International semi-finals last week.
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Stosur hopes her home crowd can play a positive part in starting her Australian Open. "I know sometimes that can really lift you and maybe help you get through some of those tough moments during a match,'' said Stosur, who is desperate to improve on her previous best Australian Open result - reaching the fourth round in 2006 and 2010.
If Stosur survives today, she is then projected to meet Sydney International champion Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round, Auckland Classic winner Ana Ivanovic in the third round and Williams, who reigned at the Brisbane International, in the last 16 - should they all progress.
The 17th seed could not possibly have been handed a more devilish draw.
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Little wonder Stosur isn't looking beyond Zakopalova and "trying to rectify any problems" she had in Friday's 6-3 6-2 loss to the world No.37.
It will be the third time they have met in the first round of the Australian Open, with Stosur winning both encounters, in 2007 and 2009.
"I probably would like to return a little bit better," Stosur said. "Cut down those errors, obviously, but still play the way I want to play. I know how I want to play and be aggressive and try to hit winners."
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Stosur isn't the only Australian with a treacherous draw.
Teenage wildcard Ashleigh Barty has the biggest ask of the lot, up against top seed Williams at Rod Laver Arena tonight.
"Look, playing Serena is always a tough prospect," Stosur said. "I think Ash has to go out there, soak it all up, really enjoy the moment. Obviously she's not expected to win.
"But go out there and have as much fun as you can."
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