US OPEN

September 7, 2004

Joachim Johansson

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: Yeah, I think almost every match I've been playing well. Apart from the match against Koubek, I didn't play too good in the first set. Apart from that, I won almost every set pretty comfortable. I'm pretty pleased with the way I'm playing here.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: Today, I didn't serve well at all. I had less than 50 percent on my first serve. But I think I played well, I returned well and I did what I needed to do today. Hopefully, I can step up my serve much more than I did today.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: Actually, my father played Davis Cup with Bjorn Borg, and Bjorn Borg was from the same city as me. I mean, it was before I was born, but I've been looking up to him a bit. I practiced with him when I was young. I think it's him. Then I been watching guys like Sampras, Philippoussis, Krajicek, that's the way I'm trying to play the game. I was first stage No. 2 Juniors, then I was injured for a half year on my wrist 2001. Then I started to play futures, and last year I started to play better and better. I think I improved myself a lot the last year.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: No, I didn't, but I had a cast on for four month, actually. I played one tournament in 11 months.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: Yeah, we played a few times. I lost in San Jose 4 and 6. Juniors, we had a few tight matches, 7-6 in the third. I believe it was 6-4 in the third at the Australian Open. It was 6-6. We had very tight matches. In San Jose, I think I played well. Tried to dictate the points when I played him, but couldn't really, really serve. But hopefully I can do that tomorrow if I get to play him. Robredo I always lost to, as well. Hopefully I can get a win under my belt next match.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: I think I got more confidence now. I mean, I was in the fourth round there. Then I was quarterfinal in Toronto. At Wimbledon I played two matches in a row. I played Sunday and Monday. So I was little bit tired after that match. But now I feel like I got all the energy I need to do well this week. So far my match has been pretty comfortable. Hopefully that's going to help me in the next one.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: I think I improved everything a little bit. I think especially after my serve, I think I dictate the points a little bit more. Apart from today, I didn't serve well, but apart from that I think I've been serving well, high percent first serves. Also I been returning much better. I mean, if I win my service game pretty easy, I can put more energy when they serving. So I been breaking them more and today I think I broke him seven times or something. So that's where I improved. I think I'm moving much better on the court, even though I can move better than I do. Those things I'm working on the whole time, so...

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: Yes, I did. Twice.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: Twice junior, and last year I qualified and lost to Fish first round. So twice Juniors and twice senior.

JOACHIM JOHANSSON: Yeah, I do. It's a little bit different when I'm playing on the big courts. But that's what I like, and I like to play night matches like I did today. The big courts, that's what you're going for. I guess we're going to play on center court next match (smiling).