Australia's Federation Cup coach Alicia Molik with the women's Australian Open Cup at Henley Beach. Picture: Mark Brake Source: News Limited AUSTRALIA'S Federation Cup coach Alicia Molik believes US Open Champion Sam Stosur is finally ready to perform at January's Australian Open.
Stosur is yet to progress beyond the fourth round at her home slam, and has suffered first and second round exits the past two years, despite entering both events as a top 10 seed.
The pressure of playing in front of home fans is thought to have been a major cause the poor results but Molik believes Stosur will face lower expectations in January because her world ranking has slipped to No. 18.
Despite, the ranking dip, Molik says Stosur is playing good enough tennis to compete with the world's best and points to her recent results.
Stosur recently reached the final of the Tournament of Champions in Bulgaria
"I think it's really possible that she'll go well this year,'' said Molik a former world No. 8 and Australian Open quarter finalist.
"We know what the weight of expectation can do. She can prepare perfectly and have everything ready but sometimes that extra want to do well in front of your home crowd can be a little bit overwhelming.
"But if she's every going to do it, I think it will be this time.
"She should go in pretty relaxed because she hasn't met her own standards (in Melbourne) in the past few year and I think she'll approach with an attitude of 'I can't do any worse'."
Molik was at Henley Square yesterday touring with the Australian Open Trophy to promote Tennis Australia's AO Blitz, which gives schools and clubs the chance to have international players compete on their behalf at this year's Open
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