This major hasn’t been the favourite for Sam Stosur - she made the AO round of sixteen twice, but long ago (2006, 2010)
Pavlyuchenkova had made 3 quarter finals here (2017, 2019, 2020).
Their nine previous matches were split 5-4 in the favour of Stosur, with the Australian winning the most recent - second round at 2018 Roland Garros.
Stosur served first, and with three winners, two forehands, Pavlyuchenkova broke.
The 10th seed consolidated to lead 2-0.
Stosur held in game three to be on the board.
At 1-3 and 30-30, Stosur hit an awful forehand then double faulted, and Pavlyuchenkova was up a double break.
Serving for the set at 5-2, Pavlyuchenkova donated two double faults, saved a break point, and for all of that took it away 6-2.
Pavlyuchenkova opened set two by breaking Stosur in the first game. Four errors to two.
The fifth game, as in the first set, was bad for Stosur, with unforced errors flowing and Pavlyuchenkova breaking for 4-1.
Stosur retrieved one of the breaks, a backhand winner helping, along with a Russian double fault.
Stosur had game point, but three unforced errors cost her the game, and Pavlyuchenkova would serve for the match at 5-2.
Pavlyuchenkova saved a break point, but eventually sealed it 6-2 6-2, ending the final singles match in the sensational career of Samantha Stosur.
Sam was appropriately given a presentation on court at the conclusion of the match, commemorating her career, including 20 years of competing at the Australian Open.
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