GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE ATP CHAMPIONSHIP

August 4, 1997

Richard Krajicek

JOE LYNCH: Richard Krajicek now moves into the second round and has won 3 titles this year. And who do you play tomorrow or actually Wednesday?

RICHARD KRAJICEK: Martin damn. Okay thank you.

RICHARD KRAJICEK: So far I have to say this is probably the best I have felt here. I have struggled here with my form or I have come from a tournament from L.A. and I have played a lot of matches and I was not adjusted I think not too good to the heat, whatever at the moment I feel pretty good. I started in L.A. wasn't too happy with my game and my last match in Montreal was my first match that I felt the ball better even though I lost it to change so I feel my game is going upward I am happy that I won tonight and a few better things I have found again in my game today. If I just make sure that I don't lose my serve on 40-Love up next time then I think it will be okay for next couple of matches.

RICHARD KRAJICEK: I have made a lot of returns and I moved okay, backhand side was okay. Yeah, I just going to work a little more on my forehand I wasn't too happy. I just got a little bit close to the ball sometimes when I really wanted to go for it. In the rallies I wanted to finish the shot. A little problems, so, that is about the only thing I really wasn't happy about. Serving was okay and he has got a good return, so you have to give him credit for a couple of shots also. I missed a couple of volleys, but I think it is also because he returned so good. I still made a couple of mistakes. I feel it is going better every match. That pleases me. Like I said the return goes well and that is important also have course, you have to win the serve, but also put the guy under pressure and know that you are going to make a lot of returns and that he has to serve well to win the game.

RICHARD KRAJICEK: Yes, very tough match. I am seeded and I am playing guy ranked almost top 20 and he just came off a final. I think it was little bit rusty I think it was his first match since then I was little bit injured on his arm if I am not mistaken. On the court, it was okay match, but on paper it was very first tough first round of course the mental aspect after I lost that game from 42 to 4-3 then I thought maybe he is going to get over it and get more confident, get better and I was a little bit I am not happy that I let him back in the set actually and a guy ranked 100 you don't worry about it. You are not happy, but it is okay, but a guy like this who just came off a good result you don't know what is going to happen.

RICHARD KRAJICEK: No, didn't win as many matches as most of the other years. I lost to Henman I think on Wednesday and more than two weeks later on Saturday I came to L.A. I was in the friends house in Portugal and I worked out everyday running for hour and a half. And so I kept in good shape and not touching the racket really made me hungry for the ball even though I am not happy with the way my game is going I am really happy with high necessary and eagerness to play matches and just be out there, even after, yeah, a couple of not such good matches, my spirit is very high I think that was very good and very important and I am happy that I am finally doing that with my schedule and at after the U.S. Open similar taking four weeks off. I think it is very good for my game and for my mental part of my game also.

RICHARD KRAJICEK: Yeah, I have to say it is for sure a different feeling than last year. I was much more relaxed and too relax in a way and now I really feel I am very eager to play and I am not hitting the ball as well as last year, but, yeah, I think I have something to prove and first round of Wimbledon was a very disappointing and especially the way I lost that match I think I had my chances and that was a shame, especially after you win the title the year before and then-- I think now the Open is more important than maybe than ever before for me and I really want to do well there. I am looking forward to it.