U.S. OPEN

August 31, 1994

Gabriela Sabatini

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, we broke each other many times. It was a little hard to serve. I don't know. It was a lot of wind and it was kind of hard. It was moving a lot and we were breaking each other a lot. I think we both returned very well. I had a lot of problems because she was returning very well and especially my second serve, she was attacking the second serve and made it very difficult for me too.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Two times.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I just said, well, I am going, you know, to step inside and just hit the ball and I am going to put pressure on her and I played very well. I think I started to play very well at 5-2. I was playing more aggressive and doing a lot better. It was 5-2, I had nothing to lose and I just said, well, just go for it, and I started to play very well. The tiebreak was hard. I started very well at 3-Love, then I didn't put any first serves in and I think that made the difference. I played a little short. I didn't go for the shots at the end. That is why she won the second set.

GABRIELA SABATINI: My second serve.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Very well. I think that was one of the things I did the best. I put a lot of pressure on her second serve. I remember playing her on grass and I did that a lot and I played a good match and today I just tried to put a lot of pressure and she can't pass that great. She was missing a lot, so it made a big difference in the big moments.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah. Thanks.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, it was, especially losing the second set, it was kind of -- I was 3-Love and ready to win it. After losing that second set, well, I said I have to fight now each point, because it is going to be a tough one. She was playing very well, so I fought hard and that was the key also to win the match.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, much more different than the last few weeks, I would say, even compared to Montreal. Today I think it is even better. I feel things are getting better and I feel more comfortable with my game, so I am more into the match.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I try to focus on the things that I need to focus on. I had some very tough moments because it was frustrating for me to hear that and that was the reality a little bit, too, so it was very frustrating. But today I am able to focus on what I need to focus on and I am improving a lot of things and what else can I do, you know?

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, I think I was very good today. Especially at the end, I didn't feel tired at all and I was moving well. So I am moving better last year and also my stamina is a lot better and, well, tomorrow I am not playing. So I am going to have a day off to recover.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Just to attack, to be more aggressive and serve and just attacking; stepping into the ball.

GABRIELA SABATINI: I think each day was getting better, that was how it happened. We were practicing. I had a week off in between Canadian Open and the U.S. Open, and I played an exhibition this last weekend and that helped a lot. I played great tennis, and I think that showed me that I can have a good time inside the court and also play good tennis. So each day was -- I was finding new things, I guess.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Yeah, the court is slow; the same as always, but it's the slowest compared to other tournaments and I think that is good and the balls, yeah, they get a little bit big; especially you know, playing with a lot of topspin, they were heavy, but I mean, I like it; I think it is good for my game.

GABRIELA SABATINI: With the wind, yeah, it was difficult today because it was going everywhere, the wind; sometimes it could be very hard. I mean, on stadium, the wind moves a lot, and it could be hard sometimes.

GABRIELA SABATINI: Not really. I mean, everything I did was I think I went step by step and I didn't rush anything and that was a good thing; thanks to people that I had around, my family. I didn't rush anything, and today, probably -- tennis has changed a little bit. It is more competitive, so I can understand why they want to change it because there are more pressure, more responsibilities and it is much more competitive, so you know, today probably is a good idea to change the rule.

GABRIELA SABATINI: The best thing to do, I think, is to play some tournaments - not all of them, you know, to have a limit to play tournaments. I mean, if you are doing very well in juniors you can still go to school and play tournaments, but not too many, yeah.

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