NASDAQ 100 Open
Date: 2005-03-30
Mauresmo def. Ivanovic 6-1, 6-4

The Moderator Questions for Ana, please.

Question Talk a little bit about you had such an upset match with Kuznetsova a few days ago, then coming in here.
Answer Yeah, well, I was pretty happy with my game against Svetlana. I played very well especially in the third set in the end. I really had some good points. I was pretty happy I could win that match. She was up 5-3 in the third, but I came back. Yeah, I was really happy with that match.

Question The hamstring injury, has it gotten a little worse as the tournament went on?
Answer Well, yes. First, actually, I twisted my ankle. On first match I also pulled my hamstring. So it was not that good. But with bandage, it was still okay little bit. But I just -- today I just was not really concentrate 100% and also little bit tired so...

Question The heavy strapping, did it prevent you from doing some of the things that you normally like to do on the court?
Answer Well, yeah. It was little bit my feet and my hamstring was little bit disturbing me on the movements, so I also didn't move that well today. It's also little bit scary not to get (worse?). But, yeah, I think that was also pretty --

Question The ankle, what happened there?
Answer When I came here, first practice, I twisted my ankle so it was already like three, four days I couldn't practice. So I'm pretty happy with the way I played all tournament.

Question Did something happen between your last match and now, you didn't feel worse than last time?
Answer Well, not really. My, like, hamstring hurt. But, as I said, I was just not concentrate 100%. In the second set I had some chances. She played well on that points and she didn't really give me chance to come back.

Question When you lost to Venus, was that the match - even though you didn't win it, you came so close - was that the match perhaps that told you, "I could play with any of these girls"?
Answer Definitely. That was a great match for me, great experience. I played two tight sets with her. I had some set points. That match really helped me to see that it's still not far away. But as I said, that there is so many things I have to still improve and doing looking forward for the next challenges.

Question You won't have to play any more qualifiers for a while.
Answer Well, not the summer season (smiling). So that's good, because I think I had quite a lot of matches in last few months.

Question Did you think you would be Top 50 this quickly?
Answer Well, not as last year, like middle of last year, I didn't think. But now as I played some more matches, I thought it's much closer. So I'm pretty happy with my effort to come. Now after this, I will be even Top 40 so I am pretty happy.

Question Can you talk a little bit about Amelie and her game, what she did well out there.
Answer Well, she was just playing constantly good. So in the first set I think I make some unforced errors. She was also serving quite well and returning well on my serve. I had some double-faults. Like first game I had two double-faults. So in the second set, as I said, I tried to come back, but she was just on every ball. And even if I would have chance to finish the point, I miss on deciding shots so... I think it was good effort for her. She just kept positive.

Question Between tournaments, where do you train?
Answer In Switzerland. In Switzerland, Zurich now.

Question What is your schedule now? You'll probably want to take some time off.
Answer Yes, I will take maybe like 10 days or something to get recover from all these injuries, and then I will start practicing on the clay so to prepare for Warsaw, Berlin and Rome. That's my plan for like the next months.

Question You hit the ball very flat. Are you going to be a good clay court player?
Answer Well, I think it's fine. I prefer hard court, but also on the clay court I feel quite comfortable.

Question Are there many people from where you come from playing tennis?
Answer Well, it's starting to be very popular now at home. We have some very good -- Jankovic is Top 20. Dokic, I hope she will come back. And also some other players which will be good. So I really hope it will get better.

Question You defeated Jankovic.
Answer No, no. She lost second round just before. She lost to Vaidisova, and then I played her.

Question Have you played each other on tour?
Answer No, we never played on tour.

Question Even practice matches?
Answer No, no.

Question Have you known each other for a long time?
Answer She's actually two years older than me. So in national tournaments we didn't play too much. It was different category. But, yeah, I know her. In tournament sometimes we see each other.

Question You think Dokic is coming back?
Answer I hope so. I really hope so for her. I think she's very good player so...

Question What memories will you take from this tournament?
Answer Well, definitely this was my great effort. I beat first time Top 10 player. I got lot of experience, so many things to learn, even from this match. You have to be tough. And there is still so many things I have to improve in my game, so really looking forward.

Question Did Sveta say anything to you after the match?
Answer No, no.

Question Didn't compare braces or anything?
Answer No, no, not really (smiling).