REPUBLIC NATIONAL MONTE CARLO OPEN

April 24, 1998

Alberto Berasategui

Q. Were you a little bit afraid to lose the match when you lost the first set?

ALBERTO BERASATEGUI: I was afraid because I had the chance at 5-4 in the first set with my serve. I lost it. I didn't play so good on that game. Then he came with big serves. He played well during those games, and the won the set. But I think he was getting a little bit tired and tired, a little bit more and more. I got lucky at 6-5 in the second set. Then on the third set, I thought he was a little bit more tired. I make an early break, and that helped me a lot to win the match.

ALBERTO BERASATEGUI: He played -- well, I think he served good today. He was playing all right from the baseline. But he was -- I think he was playing smart against me. He was coming into the net, the most he could. Always he had a chance, he went to the net. I think he play well like with the tactic. But I thought he was going to maybe miss a little bit more serves.

ALBERTO BERASATEGUI: I think I've been working maybe as hard of what is concerned about tennis, I think I've been working about the same. But I think I've been working more this year on my physical thing. I used to have a lot of problems with cramps. Now I think maybe I have them also, but at least I can play maybe two hours, two hours and a half, maybe three hours. I saw in the Australian Open I could play long matches. I feel on the court I'm strong physically, I can play for a long time. The way I play, I have to play with a big rhythm because I have to always look to get my forehand and run around the most I can with my forehand. But also the other way, I make my opponents run a lot and make them play with a big rhythm. They get tired. Maybe this year I'm winning a lot of matches because of that.

ALBERTO BERASATEGUI: It's going to be tough. Last time I played him here in Monte-Carlo, I won. But that was like '95, I think. He's playing good tennis. I think he's confident because he arrive to the semifinal. It's going to be a tough match. He knows how to play all game around. He has a good serve, good volley, good groundstrokes. It's going to be a tough match. I know the public is going to be against me, but also was today, so I'm prepared for that.

ALBERTO BERASATEGUI: No, I'm going to try to play my own game, like I play normally, just try to get my forehand, try to win points with my forehand, and be as steady on the baseline. If I have a chance to come in, I probably will try to come in a little bit more like today.