CHINA OPEN

September 30, 2014

Serena Williams

BEIJING, CHINA

S. WILLIAMS/T. Pironkova
6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  So off to a better start in tonight's match.  What was the difference
tonight?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, tonight I was aware that I wanted to start out
strong, so I think that was the main difference, was just making sure I was
able to win a game early on.

Q.  There was a bit of a delay in the start with the ceremony going on.  Were
you able to block out what was happening on center court?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  No, I actually thought the ceremony was after my match.
 For the first time in my life, I was ready on time.  But then I realized
things were running late.  I saw that the ceremony was going on so I watched
a little bit.

Q.  I saw on Twitter that Patrick is on his way to Beijing.  I was wondering
if that was something that was preplanned, that he was going to meet up with
you in Beijing for coaching, or a last-minute call?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  No, it was in the plan.  He didn't coach last week.  I
guess he's going to come this week.

Q.  You defend your title last night as the best dressed.  You said it means
a lot.  What kind of meaning for you?  You just don't want to lose anything
or this is something you care about, like the fashion?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, it was just really cool 'cause the lady, Ellen
Barron, she's Chinese.  She's a good friend of mine.  She's into fashion.
 She has unbelievable designs.  They worked really hard on a lot of different
outfits.
Yeah, I was more excited for her than anything.  That's why it meant so much.
 So much amazing talent for a Chinese designer.

Q.  You said you watched a little of the Li Na tribute on court.  Did you get
teary-eyed in the locker room?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  No.  I was warming up the whole time because I thought the
tribute was after my match.  By the time I saw it, it was almost over.  So I
didn't see a lot.  I didn't see most of it.
I was really upset.  For some reason I thought it was after.  So, yeah,
didn't read the schedule right I guess.

Q.  You mentioned you thought it was after your match.  If it was after, were
you going to come?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Obviously, for sure.  She's an amazing player.  She's done
so much for over a billion people.  I don't think I have impacted that many
people.  I just think what she's done for our sport, the sport I play in, is
really second to none.

Q.  You play Safarova next.  You have had some matches.  You know each other
fairly well.  What is it about her, her lefty-ness, that makes her a tough
opponent?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  She plays really well.  She does everything great.  She
moves well.  She does everything well.  She serves great.
I have to put my big girl shoes on and try to play better my next match, my
next round.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports