U.S. OPEN

August 28, 1996

Gabriela Sabatini

GABRIELA SABATINI: I think I had a better first set. I didn't really like well the second set. I was playing a little bit short in that second set. It's very hard to play Ann because she likes to play those high balls. It's pretty hard to return them, to do something with them. I think the one ball that went very well was my backhand down the line. That was the key shot in the match today. I'm not that satisfied with the way I played today as I did the first day.

GABRIELA SABATINI: When she beat me, she was just in control of the match the whole time. She didn't take control of the match. If you don't play a good match, she can beat you, no problem. She's a big fighter. That's why today I needed to start playing good tennis from the beginning, you know, just try to be aggressive, not let her play her game, not let her dictate.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think it's a very good match. Ann gives you so much rhythm. It's a match where you really need to play good tennis to win. I'm glad I had a match like that today because that's what I need today. That's what I need, to play a lot of matches, to play tough matches, so I can put everything really together.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I don't know, maybe. I mean, I just try to concentrate on my game, just try to dictate every time I can. That's what I want to do. Today I really didn't do that very much.

GABRIELA SABATINI: It helped me a lot, yeah, in some important points. It kept me out of that situation. I was glad that it was working well. I'm still trying to mix it up. Little by little I'm taking more control of my serve.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I think that's what I have, the variety of different shots. I need to use them. Probably there aren't that many players today that could do that. If I can do so many things, I just have to put them in play.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Today I understand that's my weapon, you know, that's what I have, and I need to use it. With all these hard hitting players, they don't like to see balls up, down, different spins. That's what I'm working on.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, it's fun, especially this tournament. It's a lot of fun. Like I said, it felt very strange not to be at Wimbledon and the French Open. Now at the US Open, I'm here; I'm not watching it on TV. It feels good. I love New York. I love to come here. It feels good to be playing on center court, very special.

GABRIELA SABATINI: It was a little painful, it was a little hard, a little sad not to be there. It felt very strange.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Definitely, definitely. I go back to those moments and say, "Now I'm here."

GABRIELA SABATINI: I need to be very aggressive. I mean, that's the main thing. When I'm in control, it makes a big difference. That's my focus.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I don't try to compare one to the other, you know. They were playing at different times. At one point they were playing together. At the moment, I think Martina was a great player. At this moment, I think Steffi is a great player. There are different times, so I can't compare.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I mean, I think both in a different way. They were both very determined. That's what I felt every time I had to play them, that they were mentally very determined. Steffi from the baseline tries not to let you do too much. Martina coming into the net. They're two very different games.

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