PILOT PEN TENNIS

August 26, 1999

Magui Serna

Q. After the first set how did you get yourself back in the match more in the second set?

MAGUI SERNA: Well, the first set was -- everything was going pretty fast and I couldn't even think. Everything was going very fast. I didn't serve that well in the first set. I did a lot of doublefaults and my first set wasn't going pretty well. Second, I started the first game pretty well. Then it was like that I have more time to think and to -- the points were longer; not just one shot or -- and I was getting in the game again. Because in the first set I didn't even play. Everything was very fast and no points, no rallies, nothing.

MAGUI SERNA: Yeah, I mean, when I get on the court balls were coming much faster than other players. So it is a little bit different, a little more difficult to read her ball because she is hitting the ball very hard, harder than all the other girls.

MAGUI SERNA: Yeah, it was completely different.

MAGUI SERNA: When I started it was like a little bit like shock because everything was going very fast and I couldn't even -- I don't know, couldn't play points or long rallies, I couldn't. Everything was going very fast. Then the second I start serving a little bit better so when I serve, I get to play more points, well, I got my chances then couldn't make it.

MAGUI SERNA: If you play someone that hits the ball so hard and you don't try to have fun on the court, you are going to be like, I don't know, I don't know how to explain it. You are going to feel very bad on the court and I just go -- I was going to go there, I have to try to have fun and try to do as best I can. Today in the first set I couldn't, but I just-- I always thinking that if I keep trying and if I keep be playing like positive, I got my chances. I haven't, but I couldn't take it. 4-3 I got two breakpoints, I mean, that was a big step between the first and second set, was a big difference.

MAGUI SERNA: It wasn't that hard. Just keep playing positive because I lost 6-Love in the first set; if you are not positive at that moment start in the second, maybe we are going to be 6-1 in the second. You have to keep playing -- to try to change something. I tried to get more into the net in the second and tried to change a few things, but always trying to have fun on the court and just do it as best as I can.

MAGUI SERNA: I always talk before my match with my coach. Yesterday we saw the match with the Spanish girl. We saw that she is hitting the ball very hard and if you play like -- if you are trying to play as fast as she plays, it is better for her. So you have to play, I don't know, more topspin or slice or try to beat her out from her zone. She is always playing -- if you play hard, she is going to play more hard. You have to change a few things.

MAGUI SERNA: Well, I think she is ready. She did final, I don't know, when was it, two years ago. Now at US Open she always playing pretty well. She is playing home. She always play very good. So I wouldn't be surprised if she wins. Not at all.

MAGUI SERNA: I prefer to wait a while.

MAGUI SERNA: Well, as I said, she is pretty strong. Her serve is very strong too. She had like, I don't know, she is very fast and she is very long. Very difficult to -- when she comes into the net, it is like, I mean, huge. You see the court is like very small, so, it is very difficult.

MAGUI SERNA: No. Not really, just try to keep concentrate.

MAGUI SERNA: Not really. I mean, I think it was pretty much similar from Toronto last week. I don't know, I think it was pretty much the same. Not that fast and not that slow.

MAGUI SERNA: Yeah, I mean, it is pretty good week. I mean, always when you start a tournament you always think to get in the finals or win the tournament, but I am happy with the way I am playing because this -- I mean, this first six months of the year have been very hard for me. Now I am playing well again and I am having fun again on the court so it is a big step for me.

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