TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 30th of May 2014. S. Stosur d. D. Cibulkova 6-4, 6-4. An interview with Samantha Stosur
Q. It’s been a while between fourth rounds at slams. How pleasing is that?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, very pleasing. Very happy, I think it’s the first time I won three matches in a row for a while, too. Yeah, it’s all good. I’m really happy with the way I played today.
And to keep playing well, you know, when your opponent is putting you under pressure at certain times in the match, it’s really amazing to come out of those as well. And I’m pleased to find myself in the fourth round.
Q. Talking about hypotheticals at the moment, but if you do play Maria in the next round, I guess it’s an opposite situation today where head to head you’re in the wrong end of that. How do approach that if that’s the case?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I will approach it like I do with most matches. Even today I knew I had a good head to head, but you certainly don’t take anything for granted. I knew she was going to come out there and try and change that.
That’s exactly what I will try and do against Sharapova if that’s who I end up playing. I have beaten her before. I know what it takes. I know I have to play very well against her.
I know there are certain things I have to do well and if I don’t, then it makes life very, very tough that day.
I will go out there and certainly give it my best shot.
Q. Do you feel you’re playing as well on the clay this week as you were in the year you had the run to the final?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I don’t know. It’s kind of hard to compare the two, but, yeah, I don’t know. Maybe very similar. But regardless, I do feel very comfortable at the moment.
I’m very pleased with the way I’m playing. So whether it’s the same or better or worse, I don’t know, but whatever it is I’m quite happy with it.
Q. What do you think is the most important thing that’s clicking for you here at the moment?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I don’t know. It’s probably just a combination of doing all the things that I know I can do well. I mean, I think today I served very, very well, better than I served the first couple of matches. It’s a good feeling to be able to step up to the line and if it’s break point you can hit an ace, if it’s match point you can hit an ace.
That really got me through some tight moments today, which is great, whereas, it wasn’t maybe the same the first two rounds.
You know, just trying to use my forehand, use the court the way I can to open it up and give myself space and trying to move forward.
I think it’s not really one thing. It’s probably the combination my whole game being able to flow out there.
Q. With all the seeds falling, Radwanska today, as well, obviously can you focus on your next match? But is it hard not to get a little excited and see it as a big opportunity maybe?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: I guess it is an opportunity, but like before, I have only beaten Maria a couple of times; she’s beaten me nine or ten.
It’s a bit irrelevant up until I play this next match, if it’s against her or if it’s against Ormaechea. You never know what can happen. I will play my next one and then we will see what happens.
