ATP TOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

CORINNE MILLIAND: Congratulations to Goran. He is the first one to advance into the semifinals.

(APPLAUSE.)

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I don't call this lucky or srtan. It is -- maybe it is more stupid. It is Croatian roulette, you know, and not too many guys can do that. I saw only Boris doing that before when he has trouble; then he goes for the big one. I did that in most of the third set against Yevgeny, I hit an ace, so I saw today -- I was thinking, "okay, second serve stay back; not good idea; maybe he is going to come in." "Hit to his backhand, he is waiting there; not good idea." So, all these ideas, I picked the craziest one.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I did it, but third set, the way he was serving, you know, if the ball goes one millimeter longer, it is a break and I am history. But, when I did that, everything change.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I went and it went in and I knew that he was serving too good in the third set. And, I didn't have any chance. And, I knew that always happening to me when I serve very good in the set; then I come to the tiebreaker, always make some stupid things. So that is what he did. He gave me nice gift. He went for the big second serve on the 1-0, and, then another doublefault and you don't -- you take this gift and then after that, 3-0, it is such a big lead, you know, you just going for the -- then I put first serves in and I just played good tiebreaker.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Sure, you don't do ace with the second serve if you don't feel good and if you don't feel confident; especially here it is a big tournament, best eight players and you have to feel confident. I was very confident tonight. I didn't serve very great, but when I needed, just put a big serve, especially with the second serve, but you don't do all the time.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: He served better, but I mean, not better player, but why? Then he would win today.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: He had one chance, one chance that breakpoint and that was in the third set. Maybe he came more times to 30-All and deuce, but that was it. Better player or not, that is -- maybe he was, but he lost, so, it is okay with me.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I don't know, I mean, the way he played today something was wrong definitely with him. I don't know what or why he withdraws, but I have the feeling that this would happen.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I think it is okay. I think why not. If you are alternate, you are No. 9, you stay here - I know how it is to be No. 9 and hang out in the lockerroom and pray somebody is going to pull out. So finally you get a chance and why not. You have a chance to go into the semis if you play good.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, most close match. Usually finish, quit or he wins or I win, but this one was a little dramatic.