It's business as usual for Samantha Stosur as she sets about boosting her slumping ranking following another premature exit from the Australian Open.
Stosur's ranking will take another hit after her 6-4 6-4 second-round loss to American Coco Vandeweghe, with the one-time world No.4 arriving at the Open at 21st in the standings.
But with few rankings points to defend between now and the French Open in May, Stosur will start afresh - out of the Australian spotlight - with a big opportunity to snare an all-important top-16 seeding for Roland Garros.
Stosur's best results - and most consistent tennis - have come on clay and Paris remains the most likely city where the former US Open champion can challenge for a second grand slam crown.
Despite another fruitless summer, Stosur departed Melbourne Park upbeat about her 2015 prospects.
Vandeweghe, the world No.37 on the rise, lived up to her billing as a star of the future with a powerful display to leave Stosur with no answers.
Serving with precision at almost 200km/h, Vandeweghe didn't offer up a single break point in the straight-sets win.
"She obviously had a great night," Stosur said.
"I didn't feel like I did much wrong in either set.
"There's certainly been cases where I felt a lot worse than this leaving Melbourne after losing.
"There's a long year ahead. This is only the third tournament. We're still in January.
"I'll certainly be ready to keep going for my next event, that's for sure."
Stosur's immediate focus shifts to Australia's Fed Cup first-round clash with Germany in Stuttgart on February 7-8.
Then she'll contest tournaments in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami and Charleston before heading to Europe for her favoured clay court swing.
Runner-up at Roland Garros in 2010 and a semi-finalist in 2009 and 2012, Stosur lost in three sets to eventual champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round last year and still believes the title is within her reach.
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