Player Quotes July 29th
Maria Sharapova Quotes After Winning Today's Match Against Nadia Petrova
On today’s match…
“Against an opponent like her, I have to go out there and expect her to play really good tennis. She has a really big game, she’s very explosive and she goes for shots a lot. It’s important to take care of your service game, and try to get some looks on the second serve. I thought I did many things well today. I was aggressive the whole way through and not too many letdowns.”
On the difference between her first and second round matches…
“Before the first round I hadn’t played in a few weeks. And they are different opponents. I took that [first] match and I knew what I had to improve. The goal today was just to go out there and have a good start. That was important. I thought I started pretty lousy in the first one.”
On a potential quarter final match vs. Venus Williams…
“I’m excited. I love to play against her and it’s been awhile. It’s always great to be coming back and have the chance to play against a player like her who is at the top of her game right now and is playing really well. And I’m definitely looking forward to it.
You have to go in to the match thinking she is going to do everything well, which she is very capable of doing. That is why she is a champion and that why she has that many more Grand Slams than I do. Going into a match against her I know I have to perform well, I have to start well, be aggressive, not have any letdowns against her and just worry about my side of the net. You’ve got to expect her to play great tennis.”
On her career…
“To think where I was many years ago, sitting in a press conference when I was a 15 or 16 year-old, to think that in only one or two years I would be Wimbledon champion. It’s very gratifying to know that I have already achieved those things, but I have still the opportunity go out and achieve so much more. That’s why I am really proud of the way I have been able to come back. I’m satisfied with what I have but I think that I can achieve many more things, and at the end of the day that’s why I’m still out there.”
Elena Dementieva Post-Match Quotes
On today’s match…
“I think it was a good match and I made some good points. It was nice to play at night today. It was a pretty hot day. I’m satisfied with the way I’m playing and looking forward to the next round.”
On opponent Maria Kirilenko…
“I just played her a couple of weeks ago so I knew what to expect from her. I was just trying to focus on my game and go out to the net and take advantage of the short balls and do something at the net. She has a good swing. She likes to mix it up. She has some variety in her game.”
On her potential Quarterfinal matchup…
“I have played them both (Agnieszka Radwanska and Daniela Hantuchova). They are completely two different players. No matter who wins, it will be a tough challenge for me. I am going to watch this match and get ready.”
On the status of her game…
“I am working hard. I think I have made some improvements in my game. It’s hard to compare the previous season and this year because there are always some ups and downs during the year. So I am just trying to stay positive and trying to improve.”
