Dementieva: "A dream come true" - 18e Open GDF SUEZ - 2010 - Tennis Féminin

Elena, how do you feel after your first victory at the Open GDF SUEZ?
Of course I'm very happy, this tournament is really special for me. I've been playing here for years hoping to win the title. I've been trying for quite a while, so it makes me feel really good. The crowd supports me a lot when I play, which makes it quite special to play in Paris.

You are Russian, but the crowd likes you a lot.
It's really very important to have the crowd behind me and that's what makes it easier for me to come back each year.

 What does France represent to you?
I studied in France, so I speak French a little. I love playing in Paris, it's one of my favorite tournaments and it's a dream come true to win here

 Even as the number one seed, winning wasn't easy.
It's certain that being number one seed didn't really make things easier. All the girls played really well against me. They are young and have nothing to lose, so each match was hard to win. But it's great. I was really happy with my serve today and the way I was able to vary my game. I got a few easy pointsÂ…I'm really happy.

 You lost the first set again. How did you find the energy to come back?
The first match was really close. I don't think it was a bad sign. It was really close, there were only a few points between us that I wasn't able to do anything about. She played really well. I tried to stay very positive, telling myself that that's just the way it is, and that I would have to be even more aggressive and more concentrated on my serve. In any case, that was my priority in this gameÂ…

 Was it difficult to play against a left hand player like Lucie Safarova?
Yes, but less difficult than playing Patty Schnyder, who uses it more to her advantage and who puts more of an effect in her left hand. Lucie has a more classic game, and so it doesn't bother me as much.

 Why was it so important for you to win here?
I was very emotional at the end of the match because, as you know, I've wanted to win here for a long time now. And I've been so close the last past years, it was important for me to win. Plus, I was lucky to have the crowd on my side this time. Everyone was behind my opponent in the final last year. It was really strange. But I was happy to see her today at the ceremony.

 Three of your matches lasted three sets this week. So, you're used to it nowÂ…
It wasn't easy, especially against Melanie Oudin. She really put up a fight. She is very aggressive and it was physically difficult. Today was also a good battle. But today I have more experience and it was easier for me to handle this three-set match.