Marat Safin Forum

A new space to discuss Marat's fellow country men/women, other wonderful being, great tennis players
Includes:
Igor Andreev
Dmitry Tursunov
Mikhail Youzhny
Davydenko, Nikolay
Kunitsyn, Igor
Korolev, Evgeny


SHARAPOVA, MARIA RUS
KUZNETSOVA, SVETLANA RUS
CHAKVETADZE, ANNA RUS
DEMENTIEVA, ELENA RUS
ZVONAREVA, VERA RUS
SAFINA, DINARA RUS --well she has her own space lol
KIRILENKO, MARIA RUS
PETROVA, NADIA RUS
VESNINA, ELENA RUS
DUSHEVINA, VERA RUS
KLEYBANOVA, ALISA RUS
MAKAROVA, EKATERINA RUS
RODIONOVA, ANASTASIA RUS
BYCHKOVA, EKATERINA


any Russian tennis players!

Good luck for the whole season/career!

Day 9 - An interview with Elena Dementieva - Monday, June 2, 2008

. Helps to have experience at the Grand Slams, huh? Second set not so good, and the third set you started to play your game again.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, what I think that really helped me, the match that we play in Charleston in the semifinals. I think it was a tough match, but I learned my lesson.

Today on the court when I lost the second set I was trying to stay more positive, more aggressive with her, because I know she's a great clay court player. You don't want to go too much rally with her, because she's moving so well.

And, well, I think, you know, especially in the third set I was able to step into the court and, you know, hit really hard.


Q. When you step into the court and hit really hard, you also have to believe your shots will go in, no?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, you know, it's very important to play in the court, to stay in the court, because the weather just, you know, make the balls so heavy.

You really don't want to play long match. You just want to go for the winner, and I think that's what I did today.


Q. There's some people that don't think you're still a major Grand Slam contender, but you continue to come out here. Now you're in quarterfinals. You seem to be in good form. You still believe you can actually compete for the big titles, right?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I mean, that's what I'm playing for. Yeah, I do believe in myself. I think I'm not a favorite to win the whole thing, but just really enjoy what I'm doing right now.


Q. Your serve used to be one of your weaknesses. Today you did great both on your first serve and your second serve. It has almost become a weapon. What adjustment have you made to your serve?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Actually, I mean, I feel like I've done some work, and it's really improved a little bit. It's not perfect yet, but I feel more comfortable, you know, in my service game. It doesn't make me bad or down when I'm serving now.

It's really helps during the game. I mean, I don't feel stress anymore.


Q. You're sort of in that little Russian section of the draw there. Can you just talk about, you know, your potential opponent, Maria or Dinara?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I feel like I'm playing a Russian championship not Roland Garros. I play Vera Dushevina in the first round, and now another Vera. I play another Russian tomorrow.

Well, I don't know what the score right now, but I think it's going to be tough to pick a winner. I think Dinara is a great clay court player. She did a good job in Berlin beating some top 10 players. Maria No. 1 so, no matter who win this one it's going to be a tough match for me.


Q. If you're one of the more veteran Russians at this point, has Maria's game changed, or has she changed as a person since she won Wimbledon few years ago?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Maria Sharapova?


Q. Yeah.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, I think she really improve her game. I mean, she moves so much better now. I know that clay court is not her favorite surface, but still, I mean, all credit to her. She moves much better and she's able to play long rallies, not just hit one or two shots.

And, well, I think she mental is very strong, one of the strongest player on the tour. She fight every point, every game, and that's why she's No. 1 for the moment.


Q. You've had not so much success against Maria. Clay court also. You might be a better player than she is. So what would be the keys for you in order to beat her if you happen to face her?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, if I have to face her, it's ‑‑ I mean, I think we both going to be more focused on our game, because there is nothing weak in our game that we can be focused on each other.

So we just more about concentration, you know, and the mental preparation for the game. I don't think it's going to be a special tactic.


Q. Can you talk about your earliest memories of Dinara, because you've known her almost since she was a baby, huh?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well yeah. When I started she was ‑‑ she didn't play yet, but she was playing with the balls without racquets. I think Dinara, I mean, she was always working so hard. Like she was always trying to show everyone that she's ‑‑ she can play as good as Marat, you know.

I mean, I like her for that, is corrects because she's a hard worker. Maybe she doesn't have so much talent as Marat does, but she ‑‑ I mean, she really improved a lot. She's in the top 10 right now and really playing at her best for this year.

Day 7 - An interview with Svetlana Kuznetsova - Saturday, May 31, 2008

Q. Your serve has always been an important part of your game, but in your first three matches, your serving has been particularly strong. Have you been working extra hard on your serve? It's been almost dominating here?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah, I did change my serve after Miami. So, you know, it took me three weeks. I played Warsaw, I played better in Rome. It was unconsistent, (sic) but now it's getting better.

So now this is two weeks; I need my serve more than ever. So I'm really focused on it, and I feel like I'm doing much better.


Q. Different toss, different grip? What's different?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: The same toss. A bit different movement. A movement, you know?


Q. Yeah. And it feels very comfortable now?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah. When I get the movement and all get together, because serving all the time one way, to change it it's a bit difficult.

But, you know, I feel so much power in it more consistent. Much more smoother, the movement. So I feel really good when I can get everything together.


Q. You are not very happy because the way Petrova performed or because the day is sad or what?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: No, I'm very happy. I just have to have really fast lunch. I hope my lunch stays inside of me. I really was happy out there. I was really enjoying my tennis, so...


Q. Sometimes after a bad shot you'll scream something in Russian, and we always wonder what it is. Can you share some of those things? (laughter.)

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: You know, I shout like, Come on, next time do better. I try to scream positive things, you know. Sorry, no translation. (laughter.)


Q. Some players are just born to play tennis. It's very easy for them. Are you one of those players, or are you a player that has had to work very, very hard to get where you are?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I think both, you know. Because about hard work, it's what my family teach me to do. They're all cyclists, and cyclists is really hard workers. Since kid, my parents always teach me a lot and train me a lot. Still they push me so much so I maintain my hours of practice.

And another thing I will never forget. Once the guy ‑‑ I came to Spain, and I had to take few Spanish classes. Like I couldn't take more. I took like three or four. I couldn't last more.

The guy ‑‑ we had like a game, and he had a paper. So you choose a paper, and you get the name of somebody in the room and you have to describe this person.

That guy said, This girl was just born to play tennis. She plays on the court like she meant to be there, you know. And it was me that he said it.

At that moment I really started thinking, you know, I love to do that. And even day of rest, I enjoy doing this. When I play well, I have such pleasure when I'm playing.

It's really great to doing something which you love to do. It's hard to work. Definitely nothing is easy, but it's a huge pleasure to live life like that.


Q. So for your point of view, what works best today? And also, do you think you have chance to win this tournament?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, the best today? I think I play really consistent. I was trying not to do unforced errors in the first two, three shots. It's important for me. And not to rush too much. I was playing so high on the net, lots of spin. I was moving pretty well.

And, yeah, definitely I think I have a chance. Why not? I think there is a few players who have a really shot to win it, and I hope one of them is me.


Q. Victoria Azarenka. First time you played her pretty easy in Miami. Not so easy anymore?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Where did I play her first time? Sorry.


Q. It was a Grand Slam, wasn't it?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: US Open, sorry. Yeah, yeah, yeah.


Q. Third time. She's getting better and better and she's young and very talented. What is the challenge in playing her now?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Definitely ‑‑ you know, what motivates me, what I love about Grand Slams, you come to Grand Slam ‑‑ I came to this Slam. I was not in that good shape.

I mean, I was fit, but I didn't play well on clay. Maybe I didn't have that much confidence and maybe Jankovic has win in Rome coming into French. I was fresh, and first two matches I knew I had to stay focused.

But third round I played Petrova, so it's big motivation, playing another Russian. I know she can play really well, and today I was focused.

Next round it's even more difficult. Last time I played her in Miami, I was 6‑2, 5‑1 and match ball down, and she served like this out, you know. She challenged that, and it would be an ace but it was out.

She's tough. She can play good. She has nothing to lose. Younger, you know. She hits the ball really strong, but I believe I'm ‑‑ I have more experience being out there.

I think clay suits me a little bit better, and I'm really looking forward to this dual. I think it's going to be hard match.

RG2008 Men's Doubles - 3rd Rnd.
Mitya& Kunitsyn def Stephen Huss (AUS)/Ross Hutchins (GBR) 6-4 5-7 7-5......bravo all guys from russia

Dima & Kunitsyn are through to semi-finals!! Great job, guys!
Next, they will play #2 doubles team - Nestor/Zimonjic.
It will be tough, but anything is possible - Bryans brothers were beaten in a 3rd round.

One-on-one with…Svetlana Kuznetsova
Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Continuing our daily series of interviews with the stars of tennis, we talk to Svetlana Kuznetsova, a finalist in 2006 who will face Kaia Kanepi in the quarter finals tomorrow.

Favourite film

Save the Last Dance and Gladiator.

Favourite CD

The best song this year for me is “Ayo Technology” by Justin Timberlake and 50 Cent. I really like rap – Nas, Snoop Dogg – but I also listen to Russian rock.

Favourite author

Pushkin. (oh yeah........ she's from SPB, explained all)
Favourite website

Classmates.com, in Russia it’s a bit like Facebook.

Favourite city

Saint-Petersburg and Moscow.

Most memorable victory

The US Open in 2004.


Worst defeat

In the first round of the US Open in 2005.

Favourite food

Sushi.


The most stupid thing you’ve ever done

I can’t say. (Laughs)

Which actress should play you?

Eve. She’s a singer but she can act as well.

Most under-estimated player on the tour

Petrova, Azarenka and myself.

First kiss

I was 10 or 11. It’s not really a good memory because the boy had bad breath!

Craziest dream

Meeting famous rappers.

Dima is great!!!!!!

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[4]
def Kaia Kanepi (EST)


Sveta is in Semis!
Next one---Dinara!!!
goodness, i dont want to know, they both beautiful creatures.....
one is my fav person's little sister, one is my fellow city gal....what do i do???
Davai for both!!!!!
excited and feel painful to watch next!!!!!!!

congrat to our boy ...brovo

Hellan if I were you..I will ummmm...both I will cheer them both ^_^
this is Kuznetsova's interview
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/ ... 05451.html

Hellan, I felt the same way!
It was very tough for me to follow the live scores today...
Just like you, I feel like Dinara deserves to win after last 2 matches - she is such a fighter.
On the other hand - Elena & Sveta are my favorites.

I keep telling myself - okay, just let both girls be in good physical form and play their hardest, and let the better player win...
Dima & Kunitsyn lost But semis in a Grand Slam is a great result for them, and they lost to #2 team..
They are playing better & better together every year, I just wish it was Marat with Dima instead of Kunitsyn

what a pity for them Mitya&Kunitsyn...I do hope like you Natasha ...like in Kremlin 2007 ^_^

oh my god, Natasha, u won't believe how i had to watch this match, biggest debate inside my heart, one way i wanna to watch, i knew its gonna to be amazing, the other way i am way too neverous....

Was watching this while eating with 3 lady friends (all Russian) in a Cafe, when Dina beat Sveta (so easily, which is totally unexpect ), i dropped my fork, almost hit a waiter.... lol.... my mouth went a big "O" shape lol...... actually "left the game to god"..... didnt know whom to support, want both of them to win lol....
But anyway, much as i love Sveta, still glad Dina to win! At least she has a super hot brother, where Sveta and Elena don't

Dima/Igor K made good run as far as i think... and i am with ya, DiMarat would be a perfect pair.

now, we all know that we'll support our little Dinara 100% lol....
Davai Dinara and u take care my lady!

Swadii Kah ticky
lol...
I did and it killed me....
now i am back alive again to support Dinara for the final!
Vamos Dina

this week in WTA there are 5 5 girls in top 10 yeahhhh congratulation all russian girls in WTA especially in top 10
2 (1) MARIA (3806)
4 (4) SVETLANA (3565)
5 (8 ) ELENA (2750)
8 (6) ANNA (2541)
9 (14) DINARA (2222)

cheer for all russain girls

In other tournaments:

Nikolaj Davydenko & E. Korolev are playing on clay in Warsaw, Poland.
They could play each other in a 3rd round.
I think, Nikolaj is also playing doubles today.
Misha Youzhny & Dima Tursunov - in Halle, Germany. Unfortunately, they met in a 1st round, and Dima lost to Misha in straight sets (:
Sorry, nothing against Misha, but I like Dima more
Misha Youzhny & Misha Zverev(GER) won their 1st doubles match.
None of our top russian girls are playing now.