NASDAQ 100 Open
Date: 2005-03-28
Ivanovic def. #6 Kuznetsova 6-3, 3-6, 7-5

The Moderator Questions, please.

Question I was watching. At the end, obviously you played well, but a couple of let cords helped a little bit.
Answer Yeah, yeah, I think third set I played quite well. I think it was a good match. She played also very well. On the end I really pushed to the maximum, I gave my best, and I was really little bit lucky.

Question It was 4-5, she served for the match. Two in one game, dead lets. Then to start the next game...
Answer Yeah, yeah, exactly. I think that doesn't happen too often. It was like first time. But I was really lucky, so I appreciate that.

Question Did you go to church yesterday or something?
Answer No, not really (smiling). But I really appreciate that.

Question How would you rank this as far as one of your biggest wins of your career?
Answer Yeah, I think this is quite the big result for me. I think also like the beginning of this year when I won my first WTA Tour title it was really also big thing for me. But now I'm really happy, I beat two Top 15 players. This give me more experience. I think I am pretty happy.

Question I know you had a great year. Mauresmo has been a thorn in your side. You've got her again.
Answer Yeah, this is third time in this year that we play together. Last time we played three sets, so I know little bit what she about. So looking forward for that match and really want to get the best out of it.

Question Where do you train full time?
Answer Well, I don't really have some base where I train, like, full time. But we are now trying to make some base, maybe Switzerland or someplace where I can really, after tournaments, go there and practice.

Question Where do you live now?
Answer I am in Belgrade, home.

Question Belgrade is still home?
Answer Yeah.

Question No thoughts of moving to Florida like so many do?
Answer Well, no, not really. I am still going to school, so that's why I'm trying to go back and try to finish that.

Question What grade are you in?
Answer I'm third, third grade. So I have still like two years to go.

Question Is that like a junior in high school?
Answer It's high school, yes, yes.

Question Do you actually attend school or do home schooling?
Answer No, no, no, I go to school, like. We don't have this home schooling or Internet, so you really have to go there and make examinations.

Question Was this an Easter break for you, Spring Break?
Answer Well, not really. I don't have to go, like, every day to school, just examinations. So I can study when I am on the road, and then just give exam when I go back.

Question What are you studying for now, anything particular?
Answer No, not really. Just normal high school like.

Question How long have you had the braces on?
Answer Since few months. Since last November.

Question When do they come off?
Answer Like in month or so.

Question Already?
Answer Yeah.

Question That's quick.
Answer Yeah, that was quick one.

Question It seems like you weren't intimidated by this US Open champion. You matched ground strokes with her. I think you have a better serve and volley. What are your thoughts?
Answer Well, definitely she's a great player, US Open champion. I know it will be tough match. I started quite well the first set. I think I was serving quite well also first set, and on her serve putting her under pressure, returning quite well. In the second set I went little bit down. I think my serve also didn't work that well. Just didn't move. But I'm really happy that I pulled through this match, and really looking forward.

Question Your weapon, the inside-out forehand down the line? Is that your weapon?
Answer I like to hit forehands all over the court, yeah (smiling).

Question Growing up, who were your idols and heroes?
Answer Well, I start playing tennis because of Monica Seles, she was my idol when I start playing tennis. But now I think Roger Federer.

Question How old were you when you followed Monica?
Answer Five.

Question You picked it up when you were five?
Answer Yes, yeah.

Question Who's your coach?
Answer Zoltan Kuharsky from Hungary.

Question He's traveling with you?
Answer Yeah, he's traveling.

Question Any family traveling with you?
Answer Yeah, my mom.

Question What's her name?
Answer Dragana.

Question She travels with you full time?
Answer Yeah, yeah, most of the time.

Question Keeps you away from the boys, huh?
Answer Well, not really. She helps me in lot of ways. I'm really happy that I have someone from my family with me traveling.

Question You're 17?
Answer Yeah.

Question When's your birthday?
Answer November 6th.

Question Did you ever think coming here that you could be into the quarters of a Masters Series like this?
Answer Well, I just -- I know I practice very hard last few months, so I really came here for like another challenge, try to do best out of it. I'm really happy with quarterfinal, like the way I played, the way I pulled through this matches. All matches very, very tough.

Question Did you set goals for yourself like Top 100, Top 10, Slams?
Answer Yes, I set some goals. Like my goal was to be 50 around this time, but now it's obviously much higher.

Question What's your next goal?
Answer Well, the next goal is to be as far rank that you don't ask that question anymore (smiling).