Sunday,
25 January, 2004
Men's single 4th round : Austarlian Open 2004
Andre Agassi(USA) d. Paradorn
Srichaphan(THA) 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4
Q. Obviously, disappointed to not go any further.
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Well, no, I'm not disappointed. It was great match.
He's playing really well. He was moving me a lot today side to side.
I trying my best. I have a chance in the first set, I think for
set point, at 5-4, Love-40 on his serve. He did well, he come back
and take a first set.
Q.
I know the surface is obviously different, but what was he doing
differently than, say, Wimbledon?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Well, yeah, I think -- at Wimbledon, I try to keep the
ball like slice, so to the middle of the court, which is I do today.
But it doesn't work here because the ball is doesn't go that low.
Is bounce high. So he can hit the ball the way he like it.
And,
yeah, I think we both playing good tennis today and it's lot of
long rally. You know, he's really tough to -- he's really move his
opponent around. Just getting -- go for the one that he can.
Q.
How is the ankle?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: It's hurting.
Q.
Is it just a sprain?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. I try to move from the backhand side to go to
get the forehand and then it just roll it. It's pain that moment,
and then it's gone. And then I was sit down and ask the trainer.
And the trainer say, "Do you need some ice?"
I
say, "I think I'm okay."
The
next game, I walk to play the next game. I feel the pain so bad.
Plus was down two set to love and was down a break. Is tough to
come back.
Q.
So, I mean, obviously the match was slipping away at that point.
But, obviously, it was hurting you for the rest of the match, was
it?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Well, I mean, that time it was 3-2 up the break already.
You know, just like I said, it's really tough to come back. Even
I'm perfect, even I'm not twist my ankle, still tough to come back
and win the match.
Q.
Just about the first set, when you look back on the four set points,
was there much you could have done differently?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, I think I didn't take my time at all at Love-40
'cause we been playing a long point from -- till I get to Love-40,
I get three set point.
And
then I didn't take my time. I saw him ready and I just, you know,
go and get ready and play the point. He did it well. He serve couple
out wide, then hit the winner from the forehand and just hit the
line.
Yeah,
if I take my time little bit, it would be little different because
we was playing a long point before. And we both like breathing so
hard. So I didn't take my time at all at Love-40.
Q.
You got a good reception there at the end. Do you enjoy being out
there?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Yeah. Just like, you know, before I'm playing this match,
I'm really looking forward to play. This is my best result in Australian
Open, reaching the fourth round. I very happy to be out there and
try my best. You know, he's playing a lot better, so...
Q.
How many times have you played on Rod Laver?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: This is third time.
Q.
What's next for you now then?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Well, I'm going home, get some rest, and Davis Cup the
week after Australian Open. And then another week off. Then going
to Rotterdam, go to Europe for three weeks, and then play Indian
Wells and Miami.
Q.
That time off will be for training?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, I'm gonna take a couple days off, maybe three,
four days, no tennis. Then start to practice, just get ready for
Davis Cup, then maybe one or two days of, and then practice again
and going to Rotterdam.
Q.
Who are you playing?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: We're playing Pakistan in Thailand.
Q.
Whereabouts in Pakistan?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: In Thailand.
Q.
Bangkok, is it?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Bangkok.
Q.
Just on the big stage, what do you feel like you're meant to do
to take the next step?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: I mean, I feel like my game have almost everything.
Just, you know, if I can come into the net more to finish the point
at the net, it would be helping my game a lot because I think I'm
stay on the baseline too much - maybe not too much, because is my
game. I have to be confident to hit the ball to, you know, the weakness
of my opponent, which is backhand or forehand, then try to come
in and finish the point at the net.
Q.
Did you have some nail clippers sent out early in the match?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: Yeah, I been away from home quite long and nail are
getting long. One of my nail just hit with the string or something,
so it just crack. So I ask for the nail clipper to just cut it (smiling).
Q.
What are your impressions of Melbourne by sort of playing here and
sight-seeing or relaxing?
PARADORN
SRICHAPHAN: I didn't do anything much. I been playing here since
I was playing Juniors since I was 16 or 17. My memory here is always
like is very windy here to play in Australia.
But
as many years that I been playing here, I learning a lot how to
play in the windy condition. It's look like I did it well. I get
more experience. You know, reaching my first time fourth round here,
I'm really happy about it. Hopefully, I can come back next year
and do it better.
Courtesy : http://www.australianopen.com/

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