Daria Gavrilova has found a silver lining to her premature exit from the Strasbourg International: it’s giving her extra time to settle in Paris for the French Open.
Last year, Gavrilova made a hasty Saturday night train trip from Strasbourg to the French capital after falling to fellow Australian Samantha Stosur in a thrilling three-set final.
The world No.24 was back on court less than 48 hours later – and quickly off it after a deflating straight-sets first-round defeat at Roland Garros to Elise Mertens.
“Dasha” hopes not having to dash to Paris this year following a second-round loss to Stosur on Wednesday will boost her chances of progressing beyond round of the clay-court grand slam for only the second time.
“Last year it was a bit rushed coming and playing on Monday after I played the finals,” Gavrilova said.
“I had really long matches last year here (in Strasbourg) and I was pretty tired.”
Make no mistake, Gavrilova would have preferred not to have lost for the second time in a month to Stosur, having retired with an ankle injury in the deciding set of their recent showdown in Prague.
“Every tournament I play, every tournament I enter, my goal is to win,” she said.
“So it was unfortunate I lost. I was focused to go deep in the tournament.
“I’m definitely not satisfied with losing. I don’t think anyone is.
“But I’m looking forward to Roland Garros and now I will have a few days to prepare.”
The 24th seed plays Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the first round.
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