S. STOSUR/E. Dementieva
6‑4, 4‑6,6‑1


Q. Could you tell us what was the problem? You were not able to play your best game today?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, I just feel I'm far away from, you know, playing ‑‑ from being in the good shape. I feel like I couldn't, you know, perform any better.
She was playing very solid, very good first serve. I was not able to just to stand there. You know, just too many unforced errors and not enough power from me.
I did what I could.

Q. But did you know before the tournament started that you were not in your best shape, maybe?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, I mean, I was not ready, you know, to play at the level that I want to play. I was trying to just, you know, be positive, fight for every match, and trying to improve match by match.
But unfortunately, it's difficult to do. It's a very physical game when it comes to the clay courts, so it's not good for me.

Q. Is it something like a physical problem or...
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I just think I have to work on my physical condition, to get in a better shape. So I hope I have enough time to get ready for Wimbledon and, you know, physically feel much better than this week.

Q. Is it one of your bigger disappointments here in Paris?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I had so many.


Q. How much do you think Sam Stosur has improved since you last played her in the Australian Open in January?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, actually I think the way she was playing in Australia was also very impressive, and I always have tough matches against her. I think she really improve, you know, for the few years.
It's really difficult to play against someone who is so fit. And, you know, her serve was very unusual for the woman's game: lots of speed and very difficult to return. I mean, she has a very powerful game.

Q. Let me make you a little question about men's draw. Do you think that anybody could win or beat Nadal here? And in this case, who?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, it looks like he's ‑‑ I mean, he actually looks a little bit tired to me. Even he's winning pretty easily his first two rounds, it doesn't looklike he's fresh enough. Maybe he was playing too much.
I think it's going to be tough challenge for him to win this time, actually.

Q. What are you expecting to do between now and Wimbledon?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Um, I'm going to take two days off and then just try to work on my, you know, physical condition and make sure that I'm going to be ready to move in the right direction on the grass court, because,you know, it's very special. Just trying to get ready for Wimbledon.

Q. But you have always been one of the fittest players, physically‑wise, soyou think you have to work even more?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Just getting older, I guess.


(via www.rolandgarros.com, photo/Getty Images)

Elena Dementieva - Roland Garros 30. May Interview