GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE ATP CHAMPIONSHIP

August 7, 1997

Patrick Rafter

JOE LYNCH: 69 points each for the day.

PATRICK RAFTER: I don't think that was really the telling point. I thought the ball was on the line. But, he still had to serve 6-5, so he was still in the driver's seat. I think I didn't take my chances early on his serve and that is what cost me the match because he was very vulnerable in the first set.

PATRICK RAFTER: He is a great player. Today, I think he was, you know, I played pretty well, I thought, throughout the whole match. But, I think the match in Philadelphia, I probably played better. He was probably playing a little better as well. But, the first set I had to take the opportunities and I didn't take it and if you don't take your chances against someone against Pete, you are not going to win. That is the case today.

PATRICK RAFTER: Well, it is one or two points here and there and he is very tough in those situations. He does lose. That is when people take the opportunities against him when he is a little bit vulnerable.

PATRICK RAFTER: No.

PATRICK RAFTER: I thought it was a very close match today. Last time it was probably even closer. I definitely had more chances last time. You know, when we do play -- I mean, the last two matches, to me, have been a lot closer than the two or three before then. So it is certainly becoming a little bit better, a little bit closer to him, anyway.

PATRICK RAFTER: A little scratchy. He didn't -- the first set, you know, you saw in the second set he lifted at his game a little bit, he returned a lot better. He put me under a bit more pressure. I think that is probably -- because I had always chances on his serve in the first set. Second chances, I didn't have many, so he picked up his serve a little bit as well.

PATRICK RAFTER: I am sure he can last three sets anyway even if it is very hot. I can't see the heat being a huge factor.

PATRICK RAFTER: You have to ask Pete that question.

PATRICK RAFTER: Yeah, no one likes losing that many times in a row.

PATRICK RAFTER: He has a bit of an edge over me, doesn't he? I mean, I don't enjoy losing. I am not enjoying it, but I guess I get more upset -- because I really didn't have anything to lose, you don't seem to get as upset as much. That is probably a pretty ordinary attitude, but that is the way a lot of us think.