Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchováis a Slovak tennis player. She turned professional in 1999 and had her breakthrough year in 2002, when she won her first WTA tournament, the Indian Wells Masters, defeating Martina Hingis in the final and becoming the lowest-ranked player to ever win the tournament. She also reached the quarterfinals of that year's Wimbledon Championship and US Open, ending the year in the top 10. She was part of the Slovak team that won the 2002 Fed Cup and the...
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth23 April 1983
CityPoprad, Slovakia
Congratulations to the great American team for winning this title again. They didn't give us much of a chance there in the mixed.
I was playing well in the first set, then for some reason I decided to make it difficult for myself in the second set. I was able to get back in form and win it. The conditions were very hot but it was the same for both of us.
I was really struggling with the wind today. I couldn't really figure out which way it was blowing. The conditions were very tough and Vera just dealt with it much better.
She?s such a great ball striker, ... and if it?s in her hitting zone, she?s going to hit a winner almost every single time.
You have to hit like 10 winners before you get a point because she gets every single ball back. When you give it away, it kills me and that's where I lost my head at the beginning of the second set.
Yes, yes, I'm very happy that I finally got through this match, beat No. 7 in the world. It's my best win so far. So I'm really happy the way I play today and felt really strong on the court physically, mentally.
It was a match I lost, rather than she won [on Serena Williams winning with an apparent cramp injury at Wimbledon
It is pretty unlucky she could not continue. Winning like this is no fun.
I was just really glad how I stuck in there and kept fighting for every point. That's what makes the difference for me, now being able to win these matches.
I'm more mature now. I'm making smarter decisions on the court. I'm more aware of which shot I'm supposed to hit at the right time to win the important points. I served well, especially in the second set. I got a lot of easy points. I was able to dictate against her.
I've been playing really well the whole summer and it's very satisfying to start a tournament like this, ... I missed a few opportunities early in the first set but I just kept going for my shots and tried to stay calm and believe in what I was doing. She serves hard but I felt I was in control and it was just a matter of time.
Are you guys ready for the Williams sisters? ... Yeah! We'll see you on Sunday.
Especially against players like Lindsay, I just can?t afford not to take those chances,
Rome is my most favorite city, so I really enjoy to stay here and the whole tournament.