US OPEN

August 28, 1997

Michael Sell

Q. It was a tough match. Sort of a split. Can you explain the match?

MICHAEL SELL: He got more confidence. Started picking it up, put the pressure back on me. I had the pressure back on him for almost two sets, except for a couple points at the end. He ended up grasping that, putting the pressure on me, not letting me back in the match.

MICHAEL SELL: Yeah. I had a great crowd today. A lot of my friends from home, from New Jersey, came up. My college roommates came up. It was great to have them. It makes a great tennis atmosphere, not only for me to play, but for everyone around.

MICHAEL SELL: I never played him before. I knew I had to serve well, which I didn't. But I played from the ground very well in the first two sets in order to dictate play and play smart. I did that for two sets. Just didn't play smart in the third or fourth.

MICHAEL SELL: Uh-huh.

MICHAEL SELL: It was a great experience. Hopefully there will be several more Opens. But I learned a lot. I learned I can hang with the guys in the top hundred. I know I can beat them. It's just a little more mental. I think this experience really helped me a lot not only for the next Open, but for tournaments for the whole new year.

MICHAEL SELL: Not necessarily that. Just playing in the surroundings of the Open. It's a Grand Slam. First time I'm quallying in, won a round. I was pretty nervous out there, knowing what was in stake later on in the tournament. I just wanted to play up to my capability and see how it goes.

MICHAEL SELL: Yeah, I did quite a bit, yeah.

MICHAEL SELL: It was more special. When I came here before, I really wanted to be a part of it, and now I am, which even makes it more special. Even being in the tournament in day four, five and six is extra special.

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