Australia's Samantha Stosur, the 2011 US Open champion, won her 500th career singles match victory Tuesday, defeating France's Kristina Mladenovic 6-2, 6-2 at the WTA and ATP Washington Open.

The 31-year-old second seed from Brisbane needed only 64 minutes to improve to 4-0 against Mladenovic and book a second-round date with American Irina Falconi.

Stosur, ranked 21st, is coming off her second title of the year, and the eighth of her career, on the Austrian clay at Bad Gastein.

"It's a nice feeling to play well in those moments, in the finals," Stosur said. "Winning tournaments, wherever they are, gives you a boost."

She also won on clay at Strasbourg in May but makes her first visit to the US capital event to start her hardcourt run to the US Open.

"I'm feeling good," Stosur said. "It's nice to get back on the hardcourts again. Hopefully the heat will help my game. I enjoy playing in the heat."
Source: AFP