August 26, 2003
NEW YORK CITY
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Getting through a first round is an important thing, but to do it against Michael, final professional match, was it bittersweet? What did you say to him?
FERNANDO GONZALEZ: It was tough when I was serving for the match, I was feeling like he was trying to come back. He didn't want to finish the match, I think. But I was very concentrate on my match, I was playing really good. But Michael, in the third set, he start to return better. He get more confidence. When we finish, I say, "It was a pleasure for me to play against you in your last tournament." That was all.
Q. You had a great run here last year. Your thoughts coming back to the US Open? Do you derive more confidence this year considering how well you played last year?
FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Yeah, one more year of experience. That can help in this kind of tournament. Last year I was winning more matches before this. I mean, you have to go match by match. I'm playing good. Today I play good. My serve was much better than the other week. That make me get a lot of confidence.
Q. In my opinion last year you play better than this year. What's going on? Cincinnati, you play much better.
FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Yeah, maybe. Every week is different. Every tournament is different. Maybe this last year I play -- this year I play better French Open than last year. It's happen.
Q. This band you are wearing around your leg, is it nothing important?
FERNANDO GONZALEZ: I have tendonitis one year ago. This bother me sometime, so I used to use that.
Q. Does it influence your form, tennis form?
FERNANDO GONZALEZ: No, sometimes. Today I feel perfect.
End of FastScripts….
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