US OPEN

September 6, 2004

Nadia Petrova

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, today I was more mentally stronger. I kept my nerves down. I really focused on every point. I tried to give her as many balls as possible and also come to the net, put kind of a pressure on her. I really was holding my serve well. A little bit in the first set, I little bit struggled because I was a little bit getting used to the atmosphere of the stadium. But the rest of the match, I play very good.

NADIA PETROVA: Probably -- I don't know, I was just playing on the big stadium. It was me and Justine. I just make myself play for the crowd and really enjoy it.

NADIA PETROVA: Yes, yes, up to now, it's my best win. Of course, on the Grand Slam, beating the defending champion, it's quite a lot of pressure in the beginning, but I'm very happy that I won this match.

NADIA PETROVA: No. A little bit in the beginning of the second set. I was a little bit doubting that I can still pull this match out because, you know, knowing her experience, I was thinking she would change something in the game and start playing maybe different tennis, be more consistent, be in charge of the game. But I've stayed strong till the end of the match.

NADIA PETROVA: When I hold the serve to make it 3-1. Of I was really calm. It was a very easy game. I knew if I would just hold my serve till the end of the match, I would win it.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, she was making errors from both of the sides, but she really played a high spin with her backhand to my backhand, which was taking me into trouble. I just been moving her a little bit. I didn't give her a chance to stay in one spot and really accelerate against the ball.

NADIA PETROVA: Number one, I really had to focus with my serve, play as many balls as possible in, attack to the net.

NADIA PETROVA: There was a little bit. But, you know, some days you can't handle it, some days you can. Today was one of the day when I was in charge of it.

NADIA PETROVA: Yeah, in the beginning I still was making a bit of unforced errors. I was just getting used. When I start warming up, I felt that the court was feeling a little bit short because of this high, high seats. You know, it's like pushing a little bit on you. But I was then getting more and more in charge of the game.

NADIA PETROVA: Right.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, my tennis was fine. I was a little bit unlucky in San Diego and Montreal. I played Likhovtseva. That was quite difficult matches. I lost in three sets. And she had a very good results, reaching the final there, beating Jennifer Capriati. She was on top. Then I went to the Olympics. I was there all by myself. I never really had time to think over and just spend some time with myself. Then came to New Haven, played a good tennis, lost to Lisa Raymond. But I knew sooner or later a good result would come.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, the thing is that I like everything perfect, in practice, in the match. I'm very critical on myself. I just gave myself a little bit time, took it a little bit easy. I just knew, you know, I had to keep on doing my things during practice and bring it into the match, and, you know, the success will come.

NADIA PETROVA: Actually not. Actually not. I'm playing pretty strong tennis and, you know, I have a very good serve. If I'm just able to control myself during the match and keep the balls in, I can beat anyone.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, she's a different player from all of them. You know, she's not as tall, she's not as strong. But she's very fast and explosive and she has a very good arm. She can play all kind of shots. She's very strong mentally. That's why she keep holding her spot as No. 1.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, I just had to win big points today and put pressure on her.

NADIA PETROVA: Exactly, yeah. She's very strong girl. She's physically strong. She hits balls well. But at some stages, she's not consistent, she can have some few unforced errors. So I just have to win the long and important points against her.

NADIA PETROVA: I never played her.

NADIA PETROVA: I still did. But I felt few times little bit nervous against her. That's why, you know, I had some one, two unforced errors there. So she was in charge of the other matches.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, you mean that I'm getting that far in the last four tournaments, is that the question?

NADIA PETROVA: (Holding up two fingers.)

NADIA PETROVA: Athens. Well, I must say, every time I've been losing, I've been losing to the player who has been playing the best tennis on this day. You know, all the matches went pretty tough. It's really hard. It's been a hard time for me.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, as you know, two Russian girls already won in a Grand Slam, so I think we're able, any one of us, able to win a US Open or the next Grand Slam. So we know that if somebody did, that we can do it, too. You know, just looking back at Anastasia, Maria, it gives us a feeling and belief that we can do it, too.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, it is very difficult because every time they come to the tournaments, they have so much attention from media and people from outside. I think it's just -- it is tiring and it puts pressure on them, lots of expectation. And I think that's the main thing.

NADIA PETROVA: I don't mind, yeah. Maybe I'll try to handle it different (smiling).

NADIA PETROVA: Well, I'm learning from each match, you know. I'm learning how to handle myself. I'm learning how to be a better player, what to do in the important points. I think it's just the next step in my career. Now I can stand up in front of any top player and play free.

NADIA PETROVA: Well, I like hard. I like hard because I can dominate with my serve. But I also like clay courts. I'm physically strong. I can keep up playing there, as well.