U.S. OPEN

August 27, 1996

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Well, I think always the first match probably is the toughest one. I do feel like I played, you know, pretty good. I know I can play better than what I did today. I mean, I guess I was pushing her and she was not being able to hit the ball back when she was not in position. I guess it was, you know, kind of easy. It's always nice to go through. Always the first one is probably the toughest one you can play. Maybe better the next one.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: Definitely. I come from a tournament the week before was so quiet. Now here is a crowd of people moving. It was kind of like, you know, nice to be back to the grandstand between the years. You have to kind of get used to the distance of the court, how the people moving. Once you're there, you concentrate, you're on top, just trying to play well and win the match. That's why I just do my job, get in and get out of there fast. At the beginning it was kind of hard to go back there for a while.

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO: I think I'm playing pretty good. Had a very good season. I'm just thinking one at a time, that's all. That's doing my best, and what happens happens. I think everybody has a chance. Two week tournament. In a Grand Slam, anything can happen. You just have to think first one at a time, finish the first week, then you'll be able to concentrate for the next one. I feel good, and that's what I need to come to this Grand Slam.