AMELIA ISLAND, FL, USA - It has been a spectacular beginning to the season for Austria's Sybille Bammer. In February she claimed her first career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title at Pattaya City and in March she made an even bigger splash at Indian Wells, reaching a Tier I semifinal for the first time. What's more is that she is the only woman this year to own a victory over Serena Williams. Now is your chance to get to know Bammer a little better, as she writes the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog straight from Amelia Island.
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Saturday, April 7, 2007
Well, I lost my semifinal match against Nadia Petrova today. I don't think either of us played up to our level, but the first set was close and we both fought well. I was a little bit nervous. I didn't sleep very well last night. It's still new to me to be in the semis of such a big tournament so I think I was a bit too excited to sleep well. I couldn't find my game but I kept fighting and tried everything. In the first set I was down 4-1 but came back to 4-4; usually in a match you can change the momentum and find your way like that, and I gave my best, but she was just better today. I wish her good luck in the final, it should be a good one!
Normally I don't do so well during the clay court season, so I'm very happy I had such a good start here in Amelia Island. I found some of my best form on clay, and feel good with my sliding. Tonight we'll go out to dinner like the last few days, and maybe have a bit of a celebration afterwards. We leave for Charleston after breakfast tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to playing well there too.
I thought I'd tell you all one more funny thing Tina did, as this is my last day for the blog. This morning at around 9am Tina was telling us we had to hurry to get the car because she didn't want to miss the match - but my match was second on after 1pm. We had so much time! It was really funny.
I really enjoyed writing the blog this week - it was much more fun than the one I mentioned earlier this week, the one I wrote for the Austrian website! It was easy for me. I hope you all enjoyed it. I really appreciate all the support from my fans and I look forward to doing it all again soon!
Until next time,
Sybille
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Friday, April 6, 2007
Well I won my quarterfinal against Daniela Hantuchova today, 26 62 62, and I'm very happy about it. In the beginning I was a little nervous and didn't play well; I made lots of unforced errors and she was playing great. But after I lost the first set, I really started to play my game and it worked well. In the second and third set I was playing more like a clay court player, being aggressive but also using angles and getting a lot of balls back.
Before Indian Wells I had never beaten a Top 20 player, but this is my third Top 20 win. I'm doing better and better against the best players. I'm more relaxed and believe in myself more. In today's match I fought really hard, just like I talked about yesterday, and because of that I made her hit a lot more balls than her previous opponents I think. I tried to get as many balls back as I could, trying to get them really deep in the court, and so she had to start the point over again. When we played half a year ago I don't think I played as well and I still had my chances, so today I was confident I could do better.
I'm also thrilled because this is my first clay court semifinal on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Actually, this was the first time I even made the quarterfinals on clay! Before Indian Wells I got to play on clay in Acapulco; I thought going there would help me prepare for the clay court season. Unfortunately, I didn't move so well in that tournament and lost against a qualifier in the first round. But she was playing really well and I think I was sliding too much!
I spent most of my day at the tournament today. We slept in, had breakfast then played with Tina in the hotel (a card game called Black Pepper in English) and drew some pictures. After that Tina was watching a movie and Christophe stayed there, and me and my coach went to the courts at 11am to warm up. I had lunch over there, and the match between Golovin and Venus was so quick I had to prepare right away to play my match! Even though she lost, I think Venus, as well as Serena, will be in the top again pretty soon. Serena has won every match so far this year except the one I won, and Venus has been playing well too, so I think they'll both be high.
After my match, we went and hit some more balls. I like practicing as much as possible, even after I've finished a match. I like working really hard at my game. I've improved a lot in the last year and I don't want to stop. Anyway, after that I did some running, stretching, went to the whirlpool, went to physio (I've been feeling something in my elbow) and then my press conference. We grabbed dinner at the tournament then came back here, and that brings me to the blog!
I play the winner of Petrova and Safina in the semifinals tomorrow. They're both very good players and have similar games, so I'll just go on court and have fun, and give my best. I will do everything I can to win. We'll see what happens...
I'll talk to you all afterwards!
Sybille
