US OPEN

September 1, 1997

Greg Rusedski

Q. Was it easy to keep your focus?

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, I think it was difficult with everything that's happened the past few days. I mean, with Princess Diana, I'd just like to send my prayers with her and her family and her children. I mean, it's a terrible tragedy. I just want to give my prayers for her and her family.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Exactly, just out of respect, prayers for her family.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, I think it could help a little bit. But, I mean, it's just such a tragedy. I mean, Princess Di is and was one of the most important, the most popular ladies in the world, with the humanitarian causes she worked with AIDS, land mines. She's going to be missed tremendously.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I hope I can help out a little bit. I mean, it's very difficult.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah, I think I had a little bit in reserve. I wanted to mix it up on Daniel because he likes to block back his returns. I think that's what he did extremely well against Philippoussis. That's why he had a victory over him.

GREG RUSEDSKI: -- secondary.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Exactly, that's what I'm saying.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think it was very difficult because, I mean, two nights ago, 10:30 at night, we get in, turn on CNN, watch for about three or four hours. Next thing you find out in the morning, it's just -- I mean, it's very sad. I mean, you don't expect those things to happen. I mean, it's a feeling of shock because Princess Di is a person that you don't think these sort of things can ever happen to. I mean, you've grown up watching her from the royal wedding, from everything throughout her whole life. I think it's just more shock and disbelief than anything else. Because you think she's kind of on a plateau where nothing could possibly happen to her.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I never had the opportunity or chance to. But I have a great deal of respect for her and everything she's done for our country and for the world.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think it's difficult, but I managed to do it, I think. It's difficult to go out there and try to play tennis, but I managed to keep my mind on it. It turned out well today.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Mantilla I lost to in Australia in four sets. Richard, I have beaten four to five times. Last time I met Richard was in New Haven two weeks ago.

GREG RUSEDSKI: We just match up well. We always play 7-6 or 7-5 in the third. For some reason, I always seem to pull out in front. So it's one or two points here or there that I manage to win. I don't know why. Sometimes you match up well with certain players and you manage to take that little edge.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, I think it's two different sort of things. Because at Wimbledon, you're under much more scrutiny and under much more pressure to perform. The British public expects you to get to the quarterfinals or better. Over here, it's a little easier maybe because they don't have the same expectations. They expect you to do well, but not the same fanfare.

GREG RUSEDSKI: From my own perspective, I'm extremely pleased. Before coming here, I never won a match. To get to the quarterfinals is a good feeling. Hopefully just the beginning.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I was pleased with the tiebreaker. Was down two-nil. Managed to win the next seven. Plot thickens. Two early breaks. I missed a forehand I probably should have made. Overall you can't complain when you win in three sets.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think I've got a good opportunity to go further and to make it in the semifinal. But I have to take it one match at a time really. Sampras is definitely the favorite. Just go one day at a time really.

GREG RUSEDSKI: That's a good question. I don't know if that would have happened. I think with Tim and myself pushing each other on, I think it definitely has helped both of us out. I mean, the decision I made was a personal decision. I think it's helped in every respect.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think probably Krajicek, I'd have to favor, because of the bigger serve. Mantilla is an unbelievable fighter. He's not going to go down easily. If Richard doesn't serve well, Mantilla might win. I'd have to put Richard as the favorite on paper at the moment.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I don't even want to remember that match. I thought I was going to pass out about three or four times. After the second seat, Teach thought it was all over. Just was really exhausted from the heat.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think he ran me around the court, he returned extremely well. I didn't volley well enough. I think I'm a much more complete player now than I was then. Just have to see how it goes.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, I think we both felt the humidity out there. I think that got to him a little bit in the second and third set because he stopping serving and volleying. I think he might have gotten a little bit fatigued from the heat. That just helped me because then I could get the point from the back of the court and managed to break a few times.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I didn't really look into that sort of thing. That's the way Daniel likes to be. I mean, I just have a laugh out there, try my best really.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Yeah. That's not my personality to stare down the other person too often.

GREG RUSEDSKI: That's different. They insulted me. It's different.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I was really positive coming into the event. I mean, after Wimbledon, my goal was to get to the Top 20 and try to make the quarterfinals of the US Open. I managed to achieve these two things. Hopefully I can go further than that. So it's going positively at the moment.

GREG RUSEDSKI: Well, we'll see how it goes. Might be my favorite surface after this week (laughter).

GREG RUSEDSKI: That will help me to buy a new flat, so that will be nice, which is nice. I mean, it shows the top Grand Slam finishers. It's quite an honor to be in that tournament because Tim was in there last year, did extremely well, making the semis. I think I'd love to play in that event just to see how I match up with the best players in the world. I think Sampras is probably going to play, Rafter, Kuerten, all the Grand Slam winners. It will be a nice experience.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I think I'm in now, with two quarterfinals, unless something very strange happens. I think there's a new rule this year with one wildcard, so only 15 direct acceptances.

GREG RUSEDSKI: I don't know (laughter). Could start with a B.

GREG RUSEDSKI: All right. That would be fine.