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Today's Notes:
Daniela Hantuchova retired in the second set today with an upper respiratory illness.
The Sharapova-Krajicek singles match lasted 2 hours and 48 minutes.
This was the 11th career meeting between Elena Dementieva and Daniela Hantuchova and the first in 2007. Dementieva now the series 8-3 and has won five of the last six
meetings. The two also met in 2005 at the East West Classic and Hantuchova prevailed 6-3, 6-4.
This is the second time Dementieva has played in the East West Bank Classic. She won the singles championship last year, a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over runner up Jelena Jankovic.
For Jankovic, this is her fourth time playing in Los Angeles. She also competed in 2002 and 2004.
The eight remaining players for quarter-finals singles matches include five seeded players. Numbers 1, 2,3 4, and 9.
Sharapova vs. Dementieva: This is the ninth time the players have met in their careers and Sharapova holds a 6-2 edge. Dementieva's two wins against Sharapova include a
7-5, 6-2 semi-final victory at the East West Bank Classic a year ago. Dementieva's other victory was in 2003 at Shanghai.
Daniela Hantuchova Quotes
(How long have you been sick) The last four or five days. As soon as I had to hit more than two shots, I was dead.
I always try until the end. I never want to give up. I feel bad for the fans because once you get on the court you want to try your best. But then, you realize it is not
happening.
Once I got on the court, I tried not to think about it too much. I could not even get excited when I hit a good shot.
I have been taking everything but antibiotics. It is a cold at the moment. I do not have a temperature.
Once it starts to get around, it is very easy to get sick.
Elena Dementieva Quotes
I feel okay. It was hard to say because we had such a hard fight in the first set. We have a very good fight.
You have to stay focused. Even after she (Hantuchova) called for the trainer I tried to stay focused on the game because I did not know if she would continue or not.
I feel like my serve was good today especially my first serve. I didn't play long enough but I feel it was a good match. It was good to finish when I did because it was hot out there.
Sometimes when you are feeling tired during the match it is just good to hit the ball.
(On Her Serving) I fell like it is better, I am feeling more confident, bit I have to work on my second serve.
I feel happy to be in the quarters. I feel I am playing better than I did in San Diego. It is going to be a very difficult match if I have to face Maria.
Sania Mirza Quotes
I played both of my (previous) matches in enter court. Not having the stadium around you, you feel like you are playing in a different tournament.
(About a questionable call) There is nothing I can do about it. I was angry for 20 minutes after the match. That is not the last bad call I am going to get in my life.
I was not playing my best and she came out firing. It was not a great match. I did not even play close to what I usually play. I have been playing great tennis for the last four weeks. I
am mentally and physically tired right now. Not taking anything away form her, she played very well.
Yes, I think the doubles took a lot out of me since it was a very close match. I would have liked to have an off day but uh... There is a lot of depth to women's tennis. She played a
great match and I didn't...
I am a very short tempered person off the court. On the court I am not as bad. I was fighting so hard and I started playing better. I changed the plan. I went to a different plan.
I mean it is a clean winner and she over-ruled the sideline. She got pissed and I lost... I am human and that is how humans react. It is not the right thing but we are all human.
I tried to fight through it. There is going to be a lot of bad days where you don't play well. That aggression that I have in me translates into the game I play.
Michaella Krajicek Quotes
In the second set, I was leading all the time, it was a pity I could not finish when I was up 5-3. The first set was really close. In the third set I should have served a little
better. It was a good match and I might have missed a few opportunities but against a player like Maria it is tough.
We were breaking each other right from the beginning. It was tough like I said, we are both pretty good servers. You are not usually going to break other so much. The wind was
tough. If we play each other next time it is going to be a little different.
This was the best match I have played against her until now. I have to serve a little better against her. The double faults and the percentage of the first serves were not so
high. For me it was the best match and of course I am a little disappointed. Especially since she is number two, bit I think I have played better matches than today. (What was the
wind like?). It was difficult because we both have good pressure from the return. You were serving into the wind that is why I was trying to kick the serve or spin the serve a
little bit and make her move to the ball.
Maria Sharapova Quotes
Serving against the wind and playing against the win and playing in the sun was very difficult. It definitely felt like a \"break-fast\" out there. I think today was one of those
days when you come up you are happy to get a \"W\" at the end of the day. You did not play your best tennis, I was a little slow today and I was a step late to everything. At the
end of the day I got a w and gave myself a chance to play tomorrow.
It is good to be in different situations and you have to pull it out. It is just important to put two games together and put pressure on her. Whoever was getting ahead was in big
trouble - or so it seemed. Some of those second serves on match point were over 100 miles per hour so she got herself into a pretty good groove.
With the wind you are trying to put a little more spin on the ball. Against the wind, the errors I was making was the ball going into the net. I think I was just a little slow
today. Some days are like that. But it definitely hurt me.
It does get really windy in New York so it is good to be in these situations where you are down or up or in windy situations. All of this goes into grand slam. Knowing that you
can do it here you want to bring it into an Open.
(On Tomorrow Against Dementieva) It is never an easy match against her. I do not think I want to play a lot of long points against her tomorrow. It will be up to me to take the
short balls and to come in - and be a little quicker and to be on my feet a little but more than today. The serve and return are always keys against her.
Ana Ivanovic Quotes
I was happy to see myself play so well from so early on and it gave me confidence for the next match. These last couple of days were a good preparation. I missed competition so
I was really happy to play here. The hard works I put in is paying off and what is better than that. I have been working on my movement going on in the court (back and forth) and
it is definitely a great improvement for me. I still have a few small things to improve to get to the top of my game. I like to play all short so definitely playing volleys
bring excitement. Yesterday, I had a good percentage playing my volley's so I want to do more of that.
Jelena Jankovic Quotes
I am still not 100% I am waiting until I do not have to blow my nose in between games. I am still not where I want to be. I hope that by the time I get to New York it will be
better. I am still working hard.
I want to get my rhythm back. Sometimes I hit great shots but it is not automatic like it used to be. I am still not there yet. (On tonight's Match vs. Bammer) She is a great
player and a top competitor. I have had tough matches against her before. I had to be very careful. I was controlling my points. I did not give her the ball she liked. The only
problem tonight was my serve. Hopefully I will just get better and better.
When I am on the court I have to think where I have to go and what I have to do. I am thinking what is wrong with me. I have been on vacation first of all and did not practice much
and then I got sick in San Diego and I have not been hitting the ball a lot. In my first match I was hitting the ball in slow motion. Today was better but I have to work hard and
to come back.
I am not in the best shape physically right now. I have to try and get back into shape and improve on my game as well. Even though I am not losing many games, I am very focused out
there. I am not relaxed. I am thinking a lot especially on my returns. I am struggling on certain parts of my game but I am trying to work it out.
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