Venus Williams defeats Anastasia Rodionova
7-5, 6-2

VENUS WILLIAMS

Q. Venus, having to play a second match in less than 24 hours, was fatigue
part of the reason for your slow start, do you think, today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. A lot of matches in a row is not easy, I don't think,
for anyone, but I guess I got down a break, but thankfully I got the break
back. And I always feel really good in those situations where, you know, it's
tight, so that feels good.

Q. I didn't see the beginning of your match, so I don't know how you started,
but you finished really well. I mean you cracked four clean winners off her
serve and your forehand was really awesome.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you.

Q. You're welcome. Can you talk about how you felt at the end of the match a
little bit?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, the end of the match, especially once I got that break
for 4-2, I felt better and better, but definitely I felt comfortable in the
second set.
She was playing the ball well, trying to take it early in the beginning,
serving to the corners, actually, too, so I have to give her credit for
playing well and taking opportunities. But I tried to take as many as I could
in the second set.

Q. Venus, did you find your earring?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I did. I didn't even realize it came off.

Q. Did you feel like you were sliding and playing on the clay better than you
were even just a day ago, Venus.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I'm playing the clay, I feel more comfortable on it.
This court is not about sliding, though. I don't think you're going to see
anyone sliding on this court. It's not a sliding court, so may be a little
slide, but maybe more in Europe.

Q. Could you talk about your serve and is there any more focus on that by you
when you have some concerns about fatigue?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Of course, I try to keep my serve in the 60s. I don't think
I've ever served in the 70s. I think I take too much risk to be in the 70s.
But I try to get my first serve in. That helps me a ton, obviously, and I
think -- I've learned to mix my serve up instead of just big flat ones. And I
kind of had a shoulder problem before Miami, so I couldn't serve big, and it
actually worked out for me because I learned to serve smarter, and I've kind
of kept with that motif.

Q. Venus, I know this is getting a little ahead, but you're on the same side
of the draw as your sister. Can you recall the last time you two played
against each other in a tournament?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. It's been a couple of years, two or three
years, I think.
But if we both get to the semifinal, I guess the best Williams will win.
We'll see who that'll be, but one more step. I don't know who she plays. I'm
not even sure who I play yet.

Q. She said she was going to take a look at you playing today, I guess on TV.
She said it was too hot outside. But when is the last time you took a look at
her and have you looked at her at all this week?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I watched a lot of her matches in Australia. I see her
play all the time. I see most of my opponents play all the time. So like I
said, it'll just be about who plays better that today.

Q. I know you were asked about the original nine earlier. I'm wondering in
today's world if nine women tennis players today could make a difference like
that like they did and is there any issue that you guys faced that would be
worth that stand?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I would like to think that anything is possible. That's what
I think in life, to think that anything can happen. But obviously in that
time they were against a different situation than now, and they had nothing
to lose and only to gain. So they were brave enough to go for it and take a
risk.
You know, we have yet to see if there will be a situation like that in
general in tennis, and if there was, I would hope that as players we would be
brave enough to do something about a situation we were in.

Q. You told us yesterday that these days when you step out there it's like
the unknown. With the couple of performances you've had, couple of really
good, solid performances, do you have to guard against saying, okay, I've got
more than I thought I had and maybe overexert yourself? Is there a balance
there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I never overexert anymore. That's one thing I don't do.
It's great, because I think a lot of people go into matches and they're like
worried about their game, and I don't worry about that anymore, so my
priorities are completely different now. I'm not nervous about whether I'm
going to get my serve in or anything like that. So I've definitely -- it
takes my mind off whether or not I can play tennis. Like now I know I can
play. So it's a different way of looking at things.

Q. You could play Sam Stosur in the next round, too. She has a very unique
game as far as women's tennis is concerned now. What are your thoughts on the
challenges she presents with her spin?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I think she has such an interesting game because she's
one of the power players in the game, but clay courts suit her very well, so
it's an interest ing mix. She always plays well on clay.
I think with that spin it gives her time to really hit the shots that she
likes. So if I do play her, then I guess I'll try to do better than she does,
try to win the match. That's all I can say. I haven't played her in a long
time, so we'll see.

Q. Venus, you mentioned serving in the 60s. What are the key stats you look
at after a match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Usually for me, the service stats, unforced errors pretty
much, first serve percentage, second serve. A few of those, try to keep my
errors down.

Q. An off-topic question. What do you think are the keys to a good coaching
relationship, player coaching relationship?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Key No. 1, get along. I guess if you can learn from each
other, that would pr obably be the perfect dynamic. Yeah. Thanks.

End of Interview