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| Kim Clijsters: "Once
on the court, I have no mercy" 14/02/03
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Kim Clijsters once again demonstrated
her perseverance and talent in her quarter final against Patty Schnyder.
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| Kim Clijsters.
(photo photonews) |
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When nothing went as it should have in the first set, Clijsters managed
to recover and win the set 7-5. The second set (6-1) was little more than
a formality.
"I really want to thank the audience. They pulled me through. From
the beginning on, it was difficult for me. I often couldn't see the ball
coming. In the second set, it went a lot better. The crowd really made the
difference. "
" I'm happy that I can take on Justine in the semis. She played really
well today against Sugiyama. Last time we met was in Sydney. I beat her
then, so I hope I'll be able to do the same tomorrow.
We're friends, but once we're on the field we don't give each other any
'presents'.Once you're on the court, you mustn't have mercy. "
"Winning the tournament means a lot more to me than getting the diamond
racquet. That's more something for Venus."
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| Henin-Hardenne
: "Kim is my stumbling block" 14/02/03
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With Justine Henin-Hardenne being
in the semis, all logic's are respected. Ai Sugiyama couldn't do anything
against Henin's play but try and hold on.
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| Justine
Henin-Hardenne. (photo photonews) |
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"It went a lot better than yesterday. I'm playing a lot more relaxed
, which is a good sign in view to my next game."
Justine assumed she'd have to face Kim Clijsters in her next match. "
To be honest, I'd rather play against Patty Schnyder. She's an excellent
player, but Kim is a lot tougher to play against. I haven't won from her
recently. It's no coincidence that she's ranked third. We get along just
fine, still we're two different characters, both on the level of our play
and on a mental level.
We've both beaten the Williams sisters, so I think our level of play is
quite equal. The pressure is huge. We're playing for a home crowd, the world's
number three against the world's number four. It's a dream scenario. If
I manage to focus on my game, I should stand a chance. Anyway, I'm going
for victory.
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| Daniela
Hantuchova : "Trouble finishing the game"
14/02/03 |
It took Daniela Hantuchova blood
and tears to down Frenchwoman Dechy in two sets in the quarter finals.
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| Daniela
Hantuchova. (photo reporters) |
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Hantuchova :"I soon came to a lead, but then Dechy suddenly started
making less mistakes and it got really difficult for me. I just have to
learn to end the game. That 'll be my mission for my semi final against
Venus Williams.
To beat her, you don't only got to have a superb condition but you also
have to grab every chance you get.
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| Nathalie Dechy :
"I defended myself really well " 14/02/03
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It was remarkable how Nathalie
Dechy could relativise the fact that she had been so close to winning the
tense match against Hantuchova but lost it after all.
"What can I say? Each time I was behind, I fought back but Hantuchova
just had that little extra you need to win. I'm satisfied with the way I
defended myself, it was just the result that wasn't so satisfying. It was
very close…and this time Hantuchova won.
"I'll have to work on some parts of my technique. My serve, for instance.
But I keep hoping ….I really had a great time here in Antwerp…I
hope I'll do better next time.
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| Venus
Williams: "Pisnik had a great fighting spirit"
14/02/03 |
Venus Williams is looking forward to her
semi final, after having won her previous matches quite easily.
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| Venus
Williams. (photo photonews) |
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Venus Williams was full of praise for her opponent Tina Pisnik. "She
played very well, and she worked real hard to stay in the match. In the
first set, that didn't get her that far, but she kept on fighting. I think
it's good that I experienced more resistance than in my previous matches.
It gives me more confidence for the semis.
If Venus makes it to the final, she possibly awaits a Belgian opponent.
Which one is of no importance to the American. "My first priority is
to get to the final. Whether I'll meet Justine there or Kim doesn't matter.
Maybe it'll be a little harder for me to play against Justine, because she's
smaller than me, which makes it more difficult for me.
Would Venus take a present for her sister Serena ? "Oh, I don't know…
if I buy her something she immediately loses it. I did tell her that we've
had four days of sun here. "
Venus added that she liked training in the Antwerp "Sportpaleis".
" There's always great music playing on the background. My mother is
always dancing next to the court, which makes it difficult for me to keep
still.
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