JAN-MICHAEL GAMBILL & MONICA SELES
Monica, a bit of a slow start for you?
Yeah, definitely. I have been struggling on my rhythm a little, these past few matches, feeling rusty I think for not playing any matches for 3 months. At least at the end I could pull it out, I really wanted to win today’s match because I was disappointed after that last loss.
Monica, were you encouraged by that? You are a bit rusty but still winning?
Yeah, definitely. I mean that’s good…you are hoping really that you are not playing your best tennis here really…either way I have a lot of work to do next week if I want to do well at the Australian Open…and I know that… I am really happy I get to play another match.
Monica, either you or Arantxa will be come the first player to win two titles here, what sort of incentive is that?
It’s a great incentive; last year we can so close and almost did it, losing 2-1 to Switzerland. It would be fantastic to do that, we will just go out there- take each point at a time, like we have done so far… do what we can control.
Jan-Michael, are you happy with your game today, it was a tight match?
Yes I think it was a very tight match. I knew that Xavier was playing good tennis; I have been practicing with him a little this week. I knew what to expect out there, I have played him a few times, I knew I had to play better tennis than I had this whole week. Throughout the match my game got better and better, I started making less and less errors, hitting the ball harder, finding my way to the net and executing my volley’s like I have when I am playing well...so I am very happy with it, and I served huge today.
Jan-Michael; so you practiced with him this week?
Once this week, yes.
Jan-Michael; was he suffering back injuries then?
No he was not.
Jan-Michael; was it frustrating, you has so many chances?
You can look at it one way or another. Its sort of frustrating you are not winning the points but at least I am making him work his ass off in every game… you know he is getting to deuce, I’m having game point… he is thinking… its making him play. When it got to the tiebreaker, when it counted, I came through- that’s part of it.
Is there any concern among players about chicken pox?
(Jan-Michael) For me… you can take a look at my head here…I am not in any danger myself…It’s terrible Lleyton got that and I hope he gets over it quickly. (Monica) I had it when I was little.
Jan-Michael; Spain in the final, what about Tommy Robredo?
I think Tommy is a good player, he is tenacious out there, he hits the ball very hard from the base line…obviously a base-line player. He tries to get to the net a little bit, which is interesting for a Spaniard to play like that. I just keep serving big, which I am happy so far, I think I can get better even tomorrow and really take it to him, not let him control the points… that’s what I need to do to win.
Jan-Michael; have you played him before?
I have never played him before.
Monica; you have played Arantxa a lot of times, you have a strong won-loss record against her, any particular reason?
Every match is a different match. I don’t go into the match thinking, I have beaten this person before or lost to them, I treat is as just that moment. I am going to have to stay on top of my game and play some really good tennis. I have not had a chance to see Arantxa play this week, I’ll try and ask around a little bit and then just re-focus after today.
!
