Tennis-With pressure off, Stosur eyes final flourish at Australian Open

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Australia - 17/1/14 Women's Singles - Australia's Sam Stosur in action during her third round match Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason O'Brien Livepic

(Reuters) - For nearly two decades Sam Stosur carried Australian hopes of a first homegrown women's singles champion at Melbourne Park since 1978 and while this year marks her last chance to end that drought she says the pressure is finally off.

Stosur, 37, has never been beyond the fourth round at the Australian Open and world number one Ash Barty has become Australia's favourite to emulate Chris O'Neil and win the first Grand Slam of the year.