TMS MONTE CARLO

April 19, 2000

Cedric Pioline

Q. Cedric, it was like a boxing match from the baseline. Did you like it?

CEDRIC PIOLINE: When you win, yes. Indeed, it was very good. It was a bit like I expected. He always played the same way. If you are able to contain him, he makes mistakes.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I have a better security margin. He always tries to make you knock out, but on clay it is more difficult. If he was able to do it all the time, we would know about it. I believe I tried to be patient, not to be put down, but not rushing myself either.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: He started immediately. He tried to asphyxiate me and I knew he would do that, so I wasn't worried even if I was a breakdown.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I thought you were going to say that we had the impression I was ten years younger.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: It was very pleasant.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I am happy to be in the third round, to have been able to win two matches in two straight sets. I am satisfied. It is pleasant to know immediately that you are playing well and that you are enjoying it. For those two matches I think I didn't spend more time than I had to on the court.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: On clay you have to be able to play that way. The opponents have the possibility of sending back more shots, so you must be able to make it. When this will be settled down maybe new things will come up.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yes, he has the same type of game. I know him. It might be the same style. I have to be patient, but I have not to let myself be overcome either.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Well, this mental preparation is mainly to improve my contact with my coach. It is not only aimed at to play on court. Of course, some little tricks are coming out, but I didn't do anything really different today that I could do in the past.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I didn't make them all. I was up 40-Love at 5-2 and these are three balls -- points I missed, excuse me.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: 3 out of 6, yes mathetmatics are an exact science.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yes, I will try. It is going to be funny - the two giants against the two small ones. It is going to be funny.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Open, yes and no. Some players are less ranked, but if the good players lost it is because they had across the net someone very strong. So the important thing is to play well and to win your matches.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I will win on Sunday! No, we will see. You should not make prognoses. I know that you like to do that. But my thing is to play, to be on the court, to play Dosedel tomorrow and I will see if I will have the opportunity of having another round after that match.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yes, but everything comes down to what happens on the court. The sensations are good, but you have to exploit them on the court and play good matches. That is it.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: It is a coincidence. He was looking for a partner to play regularly during the whole season after -- according to what I understood. So they are going to be associated, both of them. I tried to find someone else, and by coincidence it was Rosset.