Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Juan Carlos Ferrero d. Jean-Rene Lisnard 6-1 7-6(1) 6-3


Q. What was the most satisfying thing about your victory today,
about the match? What was the best thing about the match or worst
thing about the match?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: The best and the worst?

Q. Yes.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: The best, I think it's I won the match. And
the worst, I think -- I don't know. I had some complicate situation
in the second set with this tiebreak. I was up 5-4 with the serve.
I lost this game, was possible to lose this set, more difficult the
match. Is difficult to play with a French guy because he's here in
house and he has a lot of motivation. But finally I think I play a
very well match.

Q. Do you think people will now start to look at you in a different
light because they've been saying your form is quite bad for this year?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think the people -- I don't think so. I don't
think so.

Q. The match was difficult because the conditions were tough. How do
you feel about that?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, yes, we were waiting until 5:30. I had
lunch at 12:00. I was just waiting on the rain. And after that, that
made things more complicated. As well, the court was very heavy, so
it was hard to score. But I had to be there at the toughest times.

Q. You did win anyway. You were playing against a Frenchman at home.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, I had to take the game to him. I was
playing a little bit faster than him. There were no gaps. I had
a little trouble in the second set, but I ended up winning the
second set. We were playing for quite a long time and it was quite
a long game.

Q. How are you facing the tournament now? Have you been able to play
the way you wanted to?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, I've played my first game in fairly poor
conditions, but I won in three sets. There were some rallies which
were longer, some which were shorter. I think I had a good game in
difficult conditions. I'm fairly satisfied with it.

Q. Last year people were saying that you played too much before
coming here after Monte-Carlo. Do you feel fresher in your mind
this time?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes. Well, I had injuries. I've been able to
rest more. I lost in Rome and Hamburg. But when you play five sets,
you can get your pace. I think I'm fresher than last year, so there's
a good side and a bad side to that, as it were.

Q. Alex said last year you were playing here to get into shape, is
that right?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes. Well, I won the quarterfinals and so on.
The idea is to be in the best physical shape as possible.

Q. Were you surprised that such a favorite as Federer was knocked out?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, Federer won in Hamburg. He's used to
playing on clay. As regards Arazi, I think he can play on any
surface. But you have to try and play well against a player like
Arazi. It's always tough to play him, especially on clay.

Q. What about Lisnard?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I thought he played well. He's tough. He
didn't make many mistakes. He had a little bit more experience
with five-setters. I don't think it will take him much to be
right on top. He actually needs to serve better.