Dellacqua’s Gran slam motivation

Casey Dellacqua’s biggest fan is once again riding every shot as the Australian closes in on an historic French Open double in Paris.

After rain stalled her quest for twin titles at Roland Garros, Dellacqua and Fed Cup teammate Ashleigh Barty will resume on Wednesday night against Saisai Zheng and Irina-Camelia Begu chasing a spot in the women’s doubles semi-finals.

Dellacqua is also through to the semis of the mixed with American Rajeev Ram and will take on Colombian Robert Farah and Anna-Lena Groenefeld on Thursday for a place in the championship decider.

Dellacqua is bidding to become the first Australian complete a French Open doubles double since Wendy Turnbull in 1979.

And the free-hitting left-hander says her devoted grandmother Bev – who starred in the stands during Dellacqua’s thrilling run to the Australian Open last 16 in 2008 – is again sweating on every point.

Only this time she’s tuning in however she can from back home in Perth.

“Nan’s 85 now,” Dellacqua said.

“Her eyes aren’t so good anymore, but she’s great. She always watches.

“Nan and Pop have a computer set up at their home and they’ve got all those – they’re probably illegal – streaming sites set up.

“But they get them and sit up and Nan is 100 per cent the first person to text after every match, regardless.

“My Nan is not shy and she’s got 10 grand kids and she goes to every footy game, if one of them is playing footy, or they’re playing golf, whatever sport they’re playing, they’re always there and she obviously cheers as hard as anyone.

“But she’s obviously just super proud, Nan.”

Incredibly, Dellacqua and Ram are two wins from lifting the trophy in their first tournament together.

“I’ve known Raj for years and I haven’t had the chance to play with him before so I asked him a while back,” Dellacqua said.

“He’s obviously a great doubles player and, for me, mixed is about being relaxed, enjoying it.

“Obviously you’re trying to win but it’s also about playing with someone that you feel like you can have a good time with.

“We’ve been doing that and playing some really good tennis.

“So it’s nice to be in a semi-final of a slam.”

Dellacqua is chasing her second mixed title in Paris after winning with American Scott Lipsky in 2011.

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