PACIFIC LIFE OPEN

March 11, 2002

Yevgeny Kafelnikov

MODERATOR: Questions for Yevgeny.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: It was. You know, it's never, you know, any exception to where you have your first match in the tournament, you expecting kind of smooth ride. You got to have to play obviously, you know, hundred percent from first point on. I did have slow start. But as the match went on, I started to pick up my game a little bit better. And then once I found, you know, confidence and the rhythm, I was pretty solid all the way until the match.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: I don't know, I guess the styles of the game match up with each other - fortunately for me. And I think important is I do read his serve pretty well. It gives me confidence on the return. Like I said, the return of serve is one of the most important aspects in the game. Once you feel confident, it's a huge factor.