SANEX CHAMPIONSHIPS

October 30, 2001

Sandrine Testud

MODERATOR: Questions for Sandrine.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Am I allowed to lie? I think it was a very bad match, indeed, a match between French girls maybe. But my feeling is that I did one set and a half the same match I did two weeks ago against Nathalie Tauziat. I was very nervous. I didn't hit the ball well. I didn't move on the court. She made me play, but I made a lot of mistakes. It was really nasty in the beginning. Fortunately, I told myself, "Look, pull yourself together." I started to move together, to get to the ball, to hit the ball better. The match started to become somewhat decent. Otherwise, no, I wasn't really excited about it. I knew I could beat her because she hasn't played for some time. I had three matches since. I knew if I could stay in the match, I had a chance of winning. This is exactly what happened. She had a match point, but I felt that I could save it and get back into the match - although I didn't play well, I have to say. In the middle of the second set, I felt better and the match went my way at 5-All.

SANDRINE TESTUD: She has a lot of topspin. On this surface, it's worse than any other surface. The balls would jump up very high. I didn't like her play. But I didn't play my tennis. I couldn't make her move. I played too much on her forehand. Then, of course, it's difficult if you play such nasty tennis. You're in a fix. It could go either way. But since I had more match practice recently, I think this is what I benefited from tonight in the third set.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Well, not really. Not really, I have to say. I couldn't be certain. I was angry. I was mad. Of course, I had been playing for two or three months recently, and I knew she hadn't. It was the same as in Zurich against Nathalie. I was angry with myself. I said, "Pull yourself together, try to play some decent tennis." Fortunately, I managed because this woke me up a bit, and then my play was a bit better. But it could have gone either way.

SANDRINE TESTUD: It was nothing special. It was some solid tennis, but nothing more. I felt in the third set that I wasn't playing great at all, but she showed some fatigue, maybe some mental fatigue, because she didn't take, as she could have, the match in the second set. I was a bit superior in the third. But she was lacking practice recently. You could tell. When it's a tight match, you can feel the opponent has been playing recently or not.

SANDRINE TESTUD: No. She said, "Well played." She told me, "Lots of luck for the remainder of the week." It's hard to get out of the first round.

SANDRINE TESTUD: Of course, of course. Playing her here, it's good. You have to play them all. Jennifer doesn't play as well as she did recently. It's going to be a hard one. But, right, I beat her in Filderstadt. It's not going to be easy. I have to play well, aggressively, as I did in Filderstadt - more to her backhand, and have her make the mistakes. She doesn't play all that fast. I have to serve well and return solidly. It's not going to be a match between French girls, which might make things easier.

SANDRINE TESTUD: I'm okay. I'm not too exhausted. After Linz, I had two days off, which was really good for me. The surface is different here. You have to get accustomed to this sort of surface, but otherwise, no; I'm okay. I have a day off tomorrow. I'll rest. Playing both singles and doubles, I have to relax for sure. I had to play good today. It was an important match for me. We'll see tomorrow.