PILOT PEN INTERNATIONAL

August 21, 1998

Goran Ivanisevic

MIKI SINGH: Goran is our second semifinalist and will play the winner of Kafelnikov and Ulihrach which is about to go on court. First question.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I was controlling the match from the beginning, but I think when he had match like that yesterday for him, it was a hugest win ever in his career and he must probably play well and today I think all those shots which went in yesterday, went out today. But, I think I served good and I am not Sampras, you know.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I wanted to play him, but it is okay. I am in the semis, so I don't mind - I don't complain I didn't play - I going to play him sooner or later -.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It didn't -.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No - no - no.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I don't know - the other one is the '94, it took me four years, so I don't know - I don't know when I going to play the final next time -.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, but she was twice in the final, I am three times now, but it doesn't matter Jana or not, I just -- I was sure I was going to win - when you are 100% sure, you lose then --

GORAN IVANISEVIC: I took three weeks off - I was on the boat in Croatia cruising around, trying not to think, but it is always a time when you are alone, then you think.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I playing good tennis, motivation is coming back - I more happier to play and winning matches -- sooner I win more matches this motivation is going to be back for the tennis and I think I am ready, if I play like this, and this U.S. Open you have to win three sets, you never know -- with me you never know, anything is possible.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Oh, yeah, sure I take anyone. (laughter) Whatever.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, I get like that from the first point. I was returning better, serving better from the back I was better - I think I play did -- actually I am playing well all these couple of weeks. I mean, last week I actually win a match against Korda with matchpoint, Toronto I had -- Agassi, I didn't let him in, but I don't know, I lost my concentration, I lost. So I am playing good tennis - just I need this breakthrough that I win tournament, play the Final and then it is going to be much better.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: It is maybe if I win the tournament that is going to be break, a great thing for the U.S. Open -- I have another tournament coming next week, but if I can win -- I never won a tournament in the States. I was twice in the final, once here and once in Long Island -- once in Indy - it will be a great thing to achieve something before I end up my career to win a tennis tournament in the States and I am capable of doing it and the way I play now, it is possible.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: He is not easy. He came through qualies - he beat Rosset 3 and love. He beat Bruguera 2 and 1 and beat Pete pretty easy. He is tough. He is tough to keep this momentum going - especially with the way I play, you know, if I serve good, I don't give him a lot of free points and he can -- he was trying to hit winners, but those were going everywhere, those forehands - he was missing a lot. I knew this is my chance to start up because I knew he was going to be a little bit down. He won yesterday, and then you go like, whoosh, then now, me coming I have to jump on him straight away, which I did it and the early break in the second and that was it.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Sure.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Sure, tomorrow, whoever I play, I never lost to Ulihrach in my life. Kafelnikov I have a better score than him - so it is -- I can beat anybody. I can lose too, but I know I playing good tennis and I know I am capable of also winning this tournament.

GORAN IVANISEVIC: Yeah, probably. We should stay together in the room. (laughter). Maybe I suggest him to do that. One bed, two beds, he wakes up on one side and --

GORAN IVANISEVIC: No. No - no. (laughter). Not for sure, but -- so I see which way he gets up, on which side, so then we know we are ready or not - play golf straight away or we come here.