US OPEN

September 9, 1999

Cedric Pioline

USTA: Questions for Cedric.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yeah, yeah. It was a great match. I mean, I don't realize 100% the way I played. I know I played very well, but I don't realize 100%. I think it was pretty good match. I mean, he played good. He served very good. Maybe I've been lucky a little bit.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yeah, I tried to be aggressive because he is very good player from the baseline. It was difficult to win the points with the rallies. I tried to come in, go to the net, don't let him play his game, what he likes to play. It worked.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: A bit older. It's normal. I mean, it was very humid out there, big physical effort. I think he was also, you know, tired. With two nights and one day, I should be okay for Saturday.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I didn't really think about it because I just win, you know. I'm kind of tired. I don't know who I'm going to play. I hope Todd is going to win. I prefer to play Todd. I don't know. I mean, I play good tennis here. I really enjoy what I'm doing here. If I can win two more, I'll be the happiest man in the world.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Because he's nice guy, so I like to play him. Sometimes he's too nice on court, so it's better maybe. No, seriously, I prefer to play a Top 10 semifinal, US Open, than play Dosedel. If I have to play Dosedel, I will. I think it would be nice because he's American. It's going to be good ambience.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I'm not sure about the answer, you know. I just try to be aggressive, just don't let him play, just come in, then put the pressure on his shoulder. I played some very good shots. I mean, I just try to keep going, keep coming in and make him maybe miss one shot or,for me, make one shot, you know.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: On the passing shot winner?

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Actually, I was very surprised (laughter). It's not usual. I didn't see he was clapping, you know, because I played unbelievable shot. I just stand up. When I turned, he was there, just like, "Shake my hand." I'm like, "What's going on? You stop or what?" It was strange, you know. I think he just want to congratulate me for this shot. I mean, it was surprising a little bit.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: No. Normally when you cross over, it's because you finish, you know.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I mean, it was a long point, I think. I don't remember exactly. I remember a passing shot winner. Yeah, it was an exhausting point. I mean, it's a point when you see the others doing it, you clapping because it's unbelievable. But when you do it, it's tiring (laughter). I mean, I just think, "Go for it," and it worked.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: Yeah. I mean, I felt pretty comfortable today. I had a very good feeling at the net. I was like, you know, smelling which side he was going to make the passing shot. It's a great feeling. It's also dangerous because you can, you know, just lose a concentration because you're too easy. But I think I manage very well my feelings today.

CEDRIC PIOLINE: I don't think it's because you're older or not. I think it's belong to my game. I mean, I have a good feeling on court. I can anticipate very well. It belong to my game. On his game is different. He's not coming to the net too often, you know, he's doing more volleys from the baseline, going one side to the other. I go more forward than rear-ward. It's different. I mean, it's great when you feel this. I like to feel it more often.