Ana Ivanovic Interview - French Open, June 1

ANA IVANOVIC: No, it was much tougher than it probably looked, or the results indicates. I had to work really hard, and I played almost without mistake today.

You know, she's a good player, and she started first game well and she had a lot of chances afterwards in the second set. But I stepped up and I was really playing my game and really making really few unforced errors. So that causes the result like that.

Q. How many times have you won a match 6‑0, 6‑0? And do you remember losing any matches 6‑0, 6‑0?

ANA IVANOVIC: I remember a couple matches in ‑‑ starting on the tour for the first time I won a couple matches 6‑Love 6‑Love. I don't know if I ever lost 6‑Love 6‑Love. I don't remember.

I know I lost a set with 6‑Love, but not the whole match.

Q. Did you start thinking about it at any time, maybe at 6‑Love, 4‑Love, or 6‑Love, 5‑Love, that, yeah, I'd like to win 6‑Love, 6‑Love?

ANA IVANOVIC: No, I don't think like that. Obviously today what I found really good, I tried to fight for every point, even if I was game points down.

I just tried to play like the most important point of the match and try to work hard for it and not think too much about the result. Obviously at some point, you know, I was thinking, Oh, you know 6‑Love, 3‑Love.

Then you start to feeling, Okay, you know, I can relax a little bit. But that's not the case. You have to still keep working hard, because, you know, players can come back. If it's 6‑Love or 7‑6, it's still just one set.

Q. So you must be happy now you've recovered your form and you're going into this second week where the matches will be tougher.

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, yeah, definitely. I was really happy, you know, the way I performed all these matches so far. I really want to keep working hard for it. I'm enjoying to go on the court, and I had fun out there today. I want to keep the hard work and keep grinding on the clay.

Q. The match this morning, is this about your form? You're obviously in great form. Is it more about your form than her form this morning?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, she had ‑‑ I believe she won couple tournaments coming into French Open, and she won a few matches here. She definitely had some confidence going into today's match.

But I really tried not to think about that, just to play my game and, you know, move her around and step in when I get chance. And like I said, I think I played almost without mistake today, and it's obviously a very happy when you have matches like this.

Q. What makes you think that this year you have more chances to win this tournament, if it's the case?

ANA IVANOVIC: That's one thing I don't want to think about, because obviously I feel great, all these matches I played, and I feel, you know, very confident going into my next round.

But I don't want to think too much, What if I win or am I going to, you know, play good next match and even win that? So I just basically want to take it match by match. I have fun out there, and that's all I can ask for.

Q. You've been to two Grand Slams finals now, so now you'll go into the quarterfinals and maybe semifinals. Mentally what do you find the most important things are for you?

ANA IVANOVIC: The most important thing is just what I spoke about, not to think too much in advance, just to take it step by step and game by game and keep working hard for it.

There are a lot of new players this tournament that came into the quarters and are playing good tennis and got some confidence.

So, yeah, just keep working hard and enjoy every moment.

Q. Technically what's been working very well for you during the last week?

ANA IVANOVIC: I think the heavy balls, especially on the clay, you know, you have to realize you don't make as many winners that you usually can make. Just playing with lots of spin, heavy balls, and my serve.

I feel I got my speed up again, so that's definitely great feeling to have. On day off I work a lot on it, having lot of repetitions, and just going through the movement, and I feel it's getting better.

Q. You've been to a couple of finals, but your results in the spring were not fantastic coming into here. Are you starting to feel like you're a big match player and a big tournament player? You know, when you get to the Majors that's really the place where you can raise your level?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, obviously I want to peak for a Grand Slams and for biggest tournaments. I was really not too happy about a couple of tournaments I had this spring. But still, it was a new situation for me, you know. I was going into this tournament as defending champion or as a favorite, so it's something I have to learn from and become more consistent in those kind of tournaments and those kind of positions.

So I really feel like I learned a lot from that and I overcame that hurdle, and now it gives me much more confidence.

Q. So when you come into a tournament like this you really feel like you're going to go deep? You have that self‑belief in you?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, obviously every tournament you play you want to win, but sometimes you feel better than the other times. You know, I'm really happy I get my form back, you know, here at the Grand Slam when it's most important. I'm enjoying so much playing matches.

Q. Do you get a boost when you look at the draw and you see no Williams sisters and Justine not here? Does that matter?

ANA IVANOVIC: Well, obviously, you know, if you want to win a tournament you have to beat any player that comes your way. Both Williams sisters, they're both great players. But like I said, there are many players who are first time in fourth or quarterfinal round.

It's still going to be a tough match, but obviously you want challenges as well, and compete against the best and beat them.

Q. Can I just ask as well, playing early Sunday morning, nice day but the court was kind of quiet. Is that a strange feeling going out so early?

ANA IVANOVIC: It is a little bit strange playing first match, especially I'm not such an early person. I like to sleep a little bit longer, but last couple of matches I played I played quite early, so I got a little bit used to that.

Q. After this tournament you could be the world No. 1. How much extra motivation does it give to you?

ANA IVANOVIC: Umm, obviously the motivation I have is to win every match and hopefully win a tournament. That's what I want to focus and work for.

And obviously, my goal is to become No. 1 already for a while. That's nothing that changes, you know, this week. I still have to focus on each match individually.

And, you know, you never know. Maria can play really well, and other girls, as well. So just take it step by step, and, you know, whatever happens happens.