AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2001

Kim Clijsters

KIM CLIJSTERS: I am very happy with the level that I played today; a lot better than my first two singles matches. I am starting to hit the ball better. I felt comfortable on the court today.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I have lost against her twice already and like in three sets, but like it's always been like a close match and I have had my chances a few times but it is going to be very tough of course, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I am just going to play my same game. I will have to be on my top, of course, like the day after tomorrow and -- but I am looking forward to it. I am going to enjoy it, I think.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I hope so. Like I said, I mean, it is great to play here and I am a tennis player. That has got nothing to do with Lleyton or me. I am a tennis player. I am focusing on my tournaments and on my career. It is not like just because we are boyfriend and girlfriend -- I am just focusing on my things.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yes, well I don't think we are going to play because Lleyton has a bit of ham string injury so I think it is better for me and for him that we have a day off like that we have a day off.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I mean, he is fine. It is fine. That is why I love to see him play tennis. I really enjoy it when he does all those things.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Yeah, I am a bit myself like that I think.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I think so. He is a great fighter. I think that is what the crowd loves, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, like I said, I mean, he was down all three sets and that is why I mean, I think we have to give him all the credit that he is such a fighter and, yeah, he never gives up.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I am a different tennis player than him. I have got my own strengths and completely different players, yeah.

KIM CLIJSTERS: You don't really think about it. You always feel a little bit sorry though, like if it would happen to you as well. But yeah, I mean, that is -- I am there to win and I am there like to keep winning like the more games and I am just trying to finish it off as soon as I can.

KIM CLIJSTERS: Well, I have played her at the US Open and in the Fed Cup last year and I have to keep hanging in there and I mean, she is a great server so I will have to return very well to break her. I will have to serve very well in my own serve game. So it is going to be very tough and I mean, she is a very good player and -- but I am, like I said, I am looking forward to playing against her.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I don't know why everyone -- that is what-- like I said, that is his personality. He is a great fighter and I mean, that is why I think they love him so much. I mean, he keeps fighting even if he is down and I think that is what he showed yesterday.

KIM CLIJSTERS: I haven't heard what he said so I can't comment on that, sorry.

KIM CLIJSTERS: You don't really think about it. I am just -- I couldn't even think of the score while I was out there. I am just focusing like every point. Even when she had a couple of points to win the game, I was still trying to keep my ball in and go for my shots. Yeah, I mean, at 5-Love, I must say that she played a good game, yeah, I mean, all the credit to her. She kept trying. That is why she won -- I mean, that is why she went through the qualies and came into the third round.

KIM CLIJSTERS: She must be playing quite well because I saw her playing last week in Sydney. She played some unbelievable tennis there. And yeah, I mean, she is No. 2 in the world, so she is always on top level, and that is well, I mean, like I respect her a lot. Yeah.