WIMBLEDON

June 28, 2004

Ai Sugiyama

THE MODERATOR: English questions, please.

AI SUGIYAMA: (Smiling).

AI SUGIYAMA: Yeah, of course. It's best result so far. And I went to fourth round a couple times. But to reach quarters, which is first time this time, so I was very happy. Yeah, especially playing against Tami, I thought if I can play my tennis, then I had a chance. So I'm very happy to be through.

AI SUGIYAMA: Yes, of course. Yeah, she's been playing really good, especially on grass. That's her favorite surface. And she's doing good every time she's playing Wimbledon, so I knew it's gonna be very tough. But just play point by point and try to fight every point.

AI SUGIYAMA: Uhm... well, we have a similar game. Play a lot of ground strokes. But maybe I run little bit more (smiling).

AI SUGIYAMA: Well, actually, I was playing really point by point. And then especially my serving, I was struggling to hold my serve. Then I was always down. Also, at the end, Love-40. And came back, and she had kind of easy game for -- on her serve. But I just never gave up. And then even though I -- she got broke my serve, I still have to believe I can break back right away. And then, yeah, she was leading all the time in second set. So I was not sure when I have chance. But I just play point by point and focus every point.

AI SUGIYAMA: Yeah, I just checked the score, which was very hard, 16-14 in the third. But I'm also playing everything - doubles and mixed. So it's the same thing.