U.S. OPEN

August 30, 1996

Asa Carlsson

ASA CARLSSON: Well, I let her play more. I mean, I was playing more safe from the baseline. I think I came in on the right shots this time. I was just fighting very, very hard the whole match.

ASA CARLSSON: Well, I was up 3-2. I felt kind of I was near to win. I mean, I felt I could win the match. Then I got a little bit nervous and didn't move as well as I did in the beginning. I was lucky, though, in the second game of the third set. That kind of turned the whole thing around.

ASA CARLSSON: Yeah.

ASA CARLSSON: Yes. That was a big point to win. That kind of got me going and I was playing much, much better after that point.

ASA CARLSSON: This is my biggest victory in my career.

ASA CARLSSON: No, I don't think so (laughter).

ASA CARLSSON: I don't know right now.

ASA CARLSSON: I haven't played that well, since last week. I won very well in San Diego. I won a round there, then lost to Gaby in a good match. This I think made my year much, much better than I thought it would be.

ASA CARLSSON: Sorry?

ASA CARLSSON: I didn't win that much matches, I lost confidence. When you start winning, I mean, your confidence gets bigger and bigger. You feel it's much easier to play again.

ASA CARLSSON: If there's a reason?

ASA CARLSSON: Well, there are just not too many girls playing tennis in Sweden, actually.

ASA CARLSSON: What?

ASA CARLSSON: I think they're doing other sports like soccer, horse riding, whatever. I mean, the guys, they had someone to look at when they were younger. They had Edberg, Wilander, Borg. I don't know if that's the reason. I guess it is.

ASA CARLSSON: Well, I mean, I thought the crowd was a little bit with me also. I felt when I was winning good points, I felt they were clapping for me, too. I just tried to fight the whole time and go for the shots, so I put pressure on her.

ASA CARLSSON: No. Like I say, I played her last week. I felt I could win the match today because when I played her last week, I played well, but I lost the second set. I was up 5-3. I knew if I just played a little bit better, I could have a good chance.

ASA CARLSSON: They're not? I don't know. I mean, she's still a very good player. I mean, she makes you move all-around the court and you get very tired when you play her. I don't know why.

ASA CARLSSON: From here? I mean, I think I proved that I beat her. She's No. 14 in the world, and I beat her. I think I have a good chance to come closer to the top players.

ASA CARLSSON: No. I mean, I'm very happy because I could play well on the big points today. In the third set, when I was up, I just felt that I could play a little bit better and I could hold my level. That felt very good for me.