PILOT PEN TENNIS

August 26, 2004

Elena Dementieva

THE MODERATOR: First question for Elena, please.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, I mean, I'm very satisfied with the way I played today. You know, last time we play I lost, so I was really preparing myself for this match. You know, I think I start very well.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: You know, I guess when you are a set and 3-Love down, there is nothing to lose. She was going for these, you know, unbelievable shots down the line. She did a couple unbelievable shots, there was nothing I could do about it. But I was staying calm and, you know, I was trying to be positive because I was doing everything right. You know, I just finished the second set.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I feel great. You know, it's nice to be in the semifinals. To have chance, you know, to play against Elena tomorrow, she's a good player, so it's going to be a good fight for both of us.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: She has a good serve and return. But what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to move her, because she's a tall girl and I don't think she likes to move. But, you know, she has a good backhand, good forehand, so I have to really play my good tennis to beat her tomorrow.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, I think my serve was better today. I did maybe one or two double-faults. I feel like my second serve was, you know, more solid today than yesterday.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I think that there's two tournaments, LA and San Diego, that I was really playing my best tennis. I feel like this year, you know, I'm improving myself. I hope to continue, you know, like this.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I don't think she was tired. Just when you are winning four games in a row, and she had chance to made a 5-3. Maybe she was little upset after this.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I didn't see the draw. I can't think about two tournaments in the same week (smiling), sorry.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Don't tell me (laughter).

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: You know, of course it's a good preparation to be here and play before US Open. But at the same time it's a big tournament and I really want to win here. Every match is important to me. I can't really select if I'm going to play my best here or next week. I mean, when I'm on the court, I want to play my best no matter what tournament is.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I think the Top 10 players don't really have weakest link. I mean, I can improve every shot that I have. I'm not perfect in anything. But when you play in the top, it's more about your mental. If you are strong, if you are, you know, confident, that's the way you win.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: You know, I think after French Open final, it gave me lot of confidence. But like I said, my last week, you know, wasn't so good, so I really need to win couple matches to feel confident before the big event like US Open.