Tennis: No magic solution to Stosur's woes, says coach

Samantha Stosur's flummoxed coach acknowledges his charge's mental frailties, but challenges anyone to find the magic solution.

No one has endured more Stosur centre-court meltdowns than David Taylor, who linked up with the now world No 9 and Grand Slam champion upon her return to the game in 2008 after battling career-threatening illness.

Taylor was in Stosur's courtside box during her 2010 French Open final upset loss to Francesca Schiavone, just as he was when she thumped the unfancied Italian in straight sets in the opening round in Paris the year before.

Taylor's gut also churned when Stosur committed tennis suicide against another Italian she'd never previously lost to, Sara Errani, in the semifinals at Roland Garros last year.

And he admits the 28-year-old's latest collapse - from 5-2 up in the deciding set against Zheng Jie at the Australian Open - was "one of her worst".

"It was terrible to see," Taylor said.

"She served for the match twice on centre court and was absolutely dominant to that point ...

"It is an absolutely devastating loss. It's illogical for a player of that level - but that's what it is. It's not that easy to solve. I know we're all trying pretty hard, but there's no easy answer."

Even if many may think so.

Past champions, current players, fans and critics have all offered advice - and Stosur has taken it all on board. Nothing has worked.

But just like Martina Hingis bounced back from her French Open final meltdown against Steffi Graf in 1999 to reach another three consecutive Australian Open finals, Taylor is backing Stosur to rebound.

- AAP