US OPEN

September 7, 1998

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Q. Was it easier or harder than you expected?

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, I think I played pretty well, pretty consistent. I did move the ball pretty well. I mean, the last times I play her, you know, I lost. So I came, you know, very positive today, try to be the one who was able to hit the ball first and to be able to attack and moving her around. I did pretty good. I think that I lost my serve, you know, in the very important moment, but I was be able to stay and go into the tiebreak and play pretty good, you know, points. After that, I continue playing pretty aggressive. Obviously, she's a player that if you give her a chance, she can come back. But I think I didn't let her come into the match so much. I did play great, very consistent, good tennis. So it's a very good win. Obviously, after winning the first set, that give me a lot of confidence to play even better the second one and finish up in straight sets.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: No, I don't think I have to prove anything. I don't take it as a revenge at all. I mean, I think each match is different. Probably, you know, my motivation probably is the Grand Slams. That's where I'm looking for to play good. You know, the other matches, probably I was the one who lost those matches, so I know what went wrong. I try not to do it this time. But it's nothing personal. I think that obviously, you know, probably is no pressure for me at all because I can go and play my tennis. I'm just going there to do well, to try to win the match. Probably now I love to play on Stadium 3; I play all my matches there. So maybe now it will be the first time I will be able to play in Stadium 1. Obviously, it is not the first time I play this tournament. I mean, probably experience I have enough. But I have to play and play well enough to win these players, because they are very good, you know. But obviously, it gives me a lot of confidence and it's a great win for me today.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, I'm probably in the same situation. I mean, I was not the favorite to win '94. I mean, I sneak around and do well. Obviously, I won in a very tough match in the final. I think I'm a better player now -- right now than I was in '94. I have much more experience. I improve on my game, I'm a better player. It's a lot of different situations. Plus, it's still the same, I don't have the pressure at all. I mean, I'm not the favorite, so I -- that can help me to go through, you know, and play my games and my tennis, concentrate and keep winning. But obviously, I'm doing very well. I'm happy the way things are going, the way I play. I'm just going to continue.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: I think I have been in that situation before. I mean, so sometimes it helps, definitely. It shows that the results says everything. I'm still there, you know. I'm playing and winning good matches. Obviously, I'm still into the tournament. So far, so good. I just have to keep concentrate. I'm trying to be very focused on each match.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: I saw him because of the rain delay. I was be able to watch it on TV in the locker room. I think it's unbelievable. I mean, he's a great player. I mean, that's something very difficult to do, and it's something unbelievable he's been done. So I was very surprised that, you know, he was be able to do it again. But, you know, I'm just congratulate him and hopefully now he's tight and he have more games to go, maybe he can make the record. But I think it's great for him.