Quarterfinal post-match press conference interview.
Hingis defeated Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) 6-3, 6-2, on February 1, 2002:
Q: Congratulations, seven times now in the semi-finals. You seemed to be able to control the tempo just at will, how would you rate this match?
Martina Hingis: Yes, I think in the beginning she didn't miss that much and she made me run. So, I thought it was a very good first few games until like three-all. I didn't serve that well at first, but then I was able to lift the game and, like you said, maybe when I really needed it, when I had to play better at those crucial times, I did lift the level and that was key. And then in the second set, I just cruised through it.
Q: When you were at three-all in the first set and then there were one or two calls you questioned and then you served like three aces, did you need something like that to get into the game since you said that you didn't start that well?
Martina Hingis: Somehow I knew at this point that I had to do something to concentrate more. I was like all over the place at first in my mind. I thought that I was just going to walk through this match, but she was better than I expected maybe and she ran very well, she ran down a lot of balls and some of the rallies were really good. So, we had long points and some really nice shots. So, I just had to work for it today and that is what, maybe, serving better helped.
Q: You mentioned earlier that you were able to get the crucial points and that made the difference, were you referring to any particular points in the latter part of the first set or perhaps the aces you made early in the second set?
Martina Hingis: Well, I think it is more like he said before, at three-all, that was more of the turnaround point in the game, which I really needed to get. After that, I had broke her again. It was just that one time that I didn't go up four-two and it became three-all. It was just the concentration. In the beginning, that is what let me go a little bit, not making two or three points in the game. But just kind of close it out, but after that, I was able to do that.
Q: If you played the way you did today, do you feel like you could win the whole thing?
Martina Hingis: In the second set, I think I got better. I got into my rhythm and my timing. But, not the way I played at first, but usually me, I was always able to lift the game with the player. With the occasion you just have to rise. The next opponent is definitely going to be more difficult, whether it is going to be Farina or Testud, either of them are solid baseliners, they have good serves. So, I just definitely have to go mentally different into that match, different than I did today.
Q: You have had two very good matches so far, do you think you have a mental grip now on winning the title?
Martina Hingis: Yes, I think that because I have played plenty of good matches so far earlier in this stage, like in Sydney and Melbourne, so, my confidence is definitely got a lot higher then when I started the season. After playing the great players and also being able to beat them--by one point. So, I feel much more that I belong where I am and I will be able to get better through the tournament and also in the next matches.
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Martina Hingis Interviews-- 2002 Australian Open:
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