Australia's Stosur knocked out of home slam early, again

Zheng Jie of China celebrates defeating Samantha Stosur of Australia in their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, January 16, 2013.  [Photo/Agencies]

MELBOURNE - Australia's Samantha Stosur blew a 5-2 lead in the final set to continue her dismal run in her home grand slam, losing 6-4 1-6 7-5 to China's Zheng Jie on Wednesday.

Stosur, US Open champion in 2011, was serving for the match before her nerves seemed to get the better of her, allowing Zheng to claw her way back and reel off five successive games to clinch a place in the third round against Julia Goerges.

The 28-year-old Stosur had minor ankle surgery late last year and lost in the opening round of both the Brisbane and Sydney tournaments before the start of the Australian Open.

Stosur, who lost to Zheng in the first round at Sydney last week, handed victory to her Chinese opponent when she double faulted on match point. Stosur has never advanced past the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

Samantha Stosur of Australia reacts during her women's singles match against Zheng Jie of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, January 16, 2013.  [Photo/Agencies]