Maybe we'll be humbled a little bit. I think a lot of us need that, so maybe we'll stop arguing with the umpires. |
Miami is great. I'm trying to do my best to avoid distractions and get ready for tomorrow. |
Most of my maturity and my different perspective comes from the last year, The J-Block. |
My defense has definitely gotten a little better. My serve's gotten a little stronger. I've put on four or five pounds, which I think has helped me make it through the long seasons without getting injured. I think all that combined is turning into me feeling more confident when I play Top 10 players like I did today. |
My serve was the biggest difference today, ... It's good to be playing so well at this time of the year. |
My year would have got worse because I would have had a heart attack, |
Now that he's gotten through that, he'll be more of a nightmare for the rest of the guys in the tournament. |
Obviously he can do about anything with a tennis racket in his hand. But on a given day, hopefully so can I. |
Olivier and I had a great match in the Davis Cup on clay a few weeks ago, ... It's nice to have a rematch against him on indoor hard. |
On clay, his serve still isn't a weapon, but he can back it up really well. Here, he wasn't able to do that. I was able to hit a couple of clean winners off of first serves, and that can rattle you early. |
Once I got that first break (in the third set), having the sense it was almost over was great. Having that crowd to front run is great. |
Only to be expected here at Yale, |
Rafael is an unbelievable player. I think he somehow brings out the best in me, because I played some of my best tennis against him at the U.S. Open. |
Right now, it stings. But looking back on it, I think it will be a good week. |
Still seems like a dream come true. Never seemed possible at the beginning of this week. It couldn't have been more perfect to do it in front of my friends and family. I know there's going to be a little bit of celebrating in Fairfield. |