US OPEN

September 9, 1998

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Q. What swung the match from you dominating in the first set to her getting everything her way the second and third sets?

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, I think I play a very good first set. I was dominating her, moving her around. So I think I surprise her, you know, a lot. Probably that kind of way of playing, I'm not so much used to it, to play like that. But I guess I get probably, you know, maybe a little bit tired in the second set. I continued to force, but I started missing. She started playing, you know, pretty well. I mean, the games were very close, even 1 and 1. But probably she started, you know, playing much more aggressive. She started attacking, you know, pretty well. It makes the difference. But I tried to hang into the match. I have some chances to break back. Maybe if I will take that, it will be change. But she probably attack before me. I didn't. She won the match. But I think it was very close, more than the result says.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, I think that she's playing probably the same as last year. I mean, she's a player that hits the ball really hard. Probably she did, you know, take the ball before me to attack. She went more for the shots and she started winning more points. But I think she's playing the same as last year.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Obviously, when there is some close calls, I mean, it's always hard, you know, because you don't know. I mean, it's so close. I think even, you know, I just try to stay focused and not think about it. Obviously, like I say, you know, I'm not so much -- the intensity of play in the first set for me, I mean, I didn't do it in the second set, and in the third set it was kind of close again. But I think I play a great match and I give my best. But she's the player that, you know, anticipates the ball, and she attack better in the third set. At the end, you know, she won. But I'm probably happy the way I play. You know, having a good tournament. Probably, you know, try next time.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I think they have very similar game. I mean they both hit pretty hard. It's going to be a very interesting match.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: That's already past. I mean, I'm not going to talk about it anymore.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: You're the guys who pronounce who is going to win. I don't have to answer that.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I mean, I didn't look at that. I mean, I just try to stay into the match, to continue. You know, even the games were very close. I could have some chances. Maybe if I would be 3-2 in the third set, things would be different. But I didn't look about that at all. I mean, maybe -- I didn't pay attention on that at all.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, if I tell you the truth, now that I'm not in the tournament, you know, anyone can win. I just wish the best of luck with everyone and see who will win. Doesn't matter for me (laughter).

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: I mean, from one end of the court was easier because you have the wind. Against the wind is much more difficult, because if you don't go in fast, I mean, it is ball stops, have more chance to pass you. But, I mean, probably I try to do a couple times, and it work out pretty well. But maybe I also miss a few. With the wind, is hard. I start doing that again on the third set. You know, probably I should have done that a little bit more, but it's not easy anyway. You have to play a good approach.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Sorry.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO: Well, it change. It's not as warm as it was. I mean, you have to get ready with the conditions. I just try to be focused. But it was a little bit, you know, windy on the court, a little bit cold. But I was ready. I mean, didn't affect too much. I mean, we were both ready for the match.