Le 11 août 2007  - August 11, 2007                   

             R. FEDERER/R. Stepanek
           
7‑6, 6‑2
          
           
RADEK STEPANEK
           

            Q.  You're happy with your week, obviously, here.  And maybe a little comments about the game today?
            RADEK STEPANEK:  Yeah, definitely, you know, this week for me was great.  I played three Top 10 players in four days, so definitely, again, it's a good sign that I'm on my way back.  I'm able to compete with the best ones.
            And today I had an opportunity to really have a battle with the best one in the world.  And, you know, I think the first set was the key for the match.  I had chances at 3‑all, 40‑love to break Roger's serve.  I didn't use that chance.  In the tiebreak it's always 50‑50, I was 3‑6 down and then it was 6‑all.  And Roger came on his set point with unbelievable return when I served second serve around 185, and just made a winner out of that.  And that just proves that he's the No. 1 player in the world.
            But definitely we had a great match, and you know, it shows me that I'm able to compete with those guys.

            Q.  On the second set, in the second set did you feel that your level went down a little?  Or it's his game that went up?  Or was it a little fatigue?  Because you played a lot of tough matches this week?
            RADEK STEPANEK:  I think that he got more quiet in his game, because he started to read my game better, I think, after the first set.  And as I said, I think the key was the first set.  If I was able to close it, to maybe break him and finish the first set or in the tiebreak, then it would be maybe difficult.  But it's always 'maybe'.
            The truth is that I lost in two sets, and the second set I think he was reading much better my serve.  And I think that my level went little bit slowly, slowly down.
            But definitely, I played a lot of tough matches this week and also the weeks before.  But definitely I'm going off this week satisfied with what I did here, and I know that I gave everything what I had, and next week is the next chance.

            Q.  Is it tough with him because the margin of error for you is so slim; if you don't break him that one time, that might be the opportunity you get for quite a while?
            RADEK STEPANEK:  I think his serve today was very steady.  And I think the percentage of first serve went that high since the match started, when he hold his serve, he started to serve very deep with his first serve, and then it's very tough to get the opportunities again.  And I think with guys like Roger and Rafa, the chances are not coming often.  They are coming maybe once a set, maybe none.
            So once you get a chance, you have to use it, and I was not able to use that chance.  And that's why I think I lost that set.

            Q.  This week you seemed to have been for the crowd a fan favorite for your tennis, but also people see you have so much fun on the court and sometimes you make some jokes.  How would you describe your relations with the Montreal crowd here?
            RADEK STEPANEK:  You know, the chemistry was incredible.  The feeling that I had after the match leaving the stadium and the people were giving me standing ovation that's, you know, what I want more.  If the fans appreciate my tennis and what I'm doing on the court, it's a great feeling.  It's tough to describe it.

            Q.  Any plans to play between now and the US Open?  Are you going to go to Cincinnati?
            RADEK STEPANEK:  Excuse me?

            Q.  Are you going to Cincinnati?
            RADEK STEPANEK:  Yeah, I'm leaving tomorrow.  Yeah, next week is the next chance.
            THE MODERATOR:  Just for your information, Radek asked me to pass on a message announcing that he and Martina Hingis have split up, they will remain good friends, and that is all I have to say.  Thank you.
                  
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