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DAVIS CUP - RUSSIA vs USAApril 6, 1998Marat SafinATLANTA, GEORGIA PAGE CROSLAND: We'll begin the questions in English. Â Q. What in the world happened to you today? You played a hundred times better than the previous two days. MARAT SAFIN: Because there was not too many media people from Russia's side (laughter). Â Q. Congratulations on a great match. In the second set at 4-1, you seemed to be totally in control, dominating play. Courier went to a slice backhand. Did that seem to cause you a lot of problems? MARAT SAFIN: Courier changed his tactics. I was not ready for it. Actually, I lost my concentration. Â Q. How big a match was that for you? MARAT SAFIN: It's pretty difficult for me, all my muscles hurt. But it was great. I really enjoyed it. I didn't want to win so quickly; that's what I was doing, trying to extend my play (laughter). Â Q. What was the difference in the match? Why did you lose? MARAT SAFIN: Just I'm not so experienced as Courier. Â Q. Did you maybe only start to really play a little nervously in the fifth set? Was that about the only time it got to you, the pressure today? MARAT SAFIN: I think I was playing at the same level all the sets; just I lost my serve in the fifth set. That was kind of the problem for me. I lost my concentration. I was tired. PAGE CROSLAND: Any other questions in English? Â Q. What is your favorite surface? Do you enjoy hard court or clay? MARAT SAFIN: Clay. Â Q. Is that because you train in Spain? MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, I guess so. It's almost four years I am playing on the clay courts in Spain. And in Moscow, it's pretty close to Spain, same courts. But I did like the clay court today, I really did (laughter). Â Q. You fell in I think the fourth set, seem to have hurt your hand. Did you hurt your hand? MARAT SAFIN: Nothing broke. I just lost half of my finger, but that's okay (laughter). CAPTAIN TARPICHEV: I would like to congratulate the American team for such a great victory. You deserved it. Thanks a lot for the warmest reception that you provided to us. MARAT SAFIN: Thank you, very much, the Russian fans who attended this event today. Â Q. What do you think was your main disadvantage in today's game? What did you miss today? MARAT SAFIN: I just needed to be a little bit successful. I missed my success today. I lost my concentration, and I lost my serve in the fifth set. If I could win the second set, I would really have a great chance to win the game. I think if I could win the second set, it would be much easier for me to play further. Â Q. Have you been nervous compared to the previous game? MARAT SAFIN: It cannot get worse (laughter). And, plus, as I said, there were no Russian media people here, which is kind of helped me. Only two of you, but that's okay (laughter). I haven't seen Russian TV here probably. That also helped me. Now I realize that one representative from the Russian broadcasting company is here. Â Q. Where did you watch the match with Kafelnikov versus Agassi, here on the site or the hotel? MARAT SAFIN: At the second set I realized that Kafelnikov was going to win, and I just went for lunch (laughter). Â Q. Who was accompanying you right before the game, before you went to the court? MARAT SAFIN: I was with Mr. Tarpichev's son. Â Q. And your plans for the nearest future tournaments, events? MARAT SAFIN: Tonight I am flying to Napoli, Italy, and I'm going to play Challenger. Next week I'm going to play in Barcelona. Â Q. Are you going to play the tournament in France? MARAT SAFIN: Yes, I will be playing. Â End of FastScripts.... |
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