Q. It's been a tough match. Have you been scared of losing?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, yesterday was difficult, you know, under difficult conditions. We waited for a long time and split sets. But I think for me it was better because she had the momentum and I could go out there fresh today. So that probably helped me at the end of the day.

But, no, I mean, I've never played her before, and she's definitely a young, upcoming player. Since last time I saw her, she's improved a lot. You know, I'm happy to be in the quarterfinals again.

But really, scared of losing, she would have to be closer to be really totally scared.

Q. What was the most difficult for you on clay compared to the other surface?

MARTINA HINGIS: Physically, and just stay healthy and fit. The scheduling and everything, I guess. To win a Grand Slam, all of these components have to come together so you can win Roland Garros.

It's definitely not been easy in the last four days. I mean, I've played every day. Yeah, it's okay. I mean, is mixed doubles up (laughing)? But sometimes you have to deal with things. No, I'm just really taking it one after another.

But, physically, that's the biggest component on clay, that you're healthy and fit.

Q. So it's more difficult on clay physically. You've been on court for the past four days. Now comes Kim tomorrow.

MARTINA HINGIS: No kidding (smiling).

But, you know, what gave me the biggest confidence was winning Rome, you know, playing six matches in seven days. I think now I can kind of survive a lot of things. It doesn't matter what's coming up next. I just have to play my tennis and prepare the best possible. And I really don't care if I have to play now every day anymore, because I know I've come up with good tennis every day. That's all matters at this point.

Q. Can you just talk about the difference playing Kim in January versus June and on hard courts versus clay.

MARTINA HINGIS: I think it's a big difference. I've made a lot of improvements since Australia. Everything pretty much was new. I was happy to win the first round. Now I would be disappointed if I didn't make the quarters. I think that's the biggest difference, you know.

On clay, it's, like I said, physically more demanding because there's longer rallies and all this, but it's also in my advantage because you have more time and you can play your game better.

So we'll see, you know. Just got to come up with the best.

Q. How are you holding up physically now compared to the match against her in January? I remember you were kind of tired. You'd played a lot of tennis before that one in January against her.

MARTINA HINGIS: Yeah, but also here. But now I had quick matches until yesterday and today. You know, I was able to save a lot of energy. Now I think also my confidence has raised since January so that's probably the biggest factor.

Q. Can you talk for a second just about Venus. You played her very recently in Warsaw. She's not in your half of the draw.

MARTINA HINGIS: Rome was even more recent.

Q. Oh, it was Rome, sorry. Assess her level ‑ you've played her recently ‑ and her chances at this Slam.

MARTINA HINGIS: You know, she's always ‑‑ you can't ever really count her out or her sister. So when they're at the best, they were at the peak two, three years ‑‑ three, four years ago, when they played the best tennis and were in their best physical shape. I mean, they've gotten older, I've gotten older, and that's probably ‑‑ tennis‑wise, I think we still have a lot to give. But sometimes it really becomes the physical factor that you also have to stay healthy, you know.

But in that case, only the tennis is a factor. We're still on top of the game, I believe.

But sometimes the young girls, 17, 18, even like 20‑something, like Safina, they recover faster. So it depends. If you win faster, then your physical factor comes into play. I think we still have chances to win Grand Slams.

Q. How annoying is it that people keep referring to your final of '99 here, and how eager are you to replace that with maybe a more positive memory?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I mean, I knew that it's gonna happen, be part of the thing, that ‑‑ and it's not only here, it's been in the past and people ask me about it. It's a common question. It's no news.

I just really go out there. I think I've played some really good tennis lately. I don't think it has affected me so far at all. You know, I mean, if you watch interviews from other people, there is worse questions which could happen.

So, no, I think I survived it well, and I think I've matured over the years. It's not a problem at all. It's a new year, new Roland Garros.

Q. Yesterday Amelie Mauresmo said that she is maybe not able to win on clay, and she has better chance somewhere else. What is your opinion about that?

MARTINA HINGIS: Well, I believe definitely she's probably most fragile to win here at Roland Garros because she wants it so badly, to win here, that, you know, their nervous energy takes a lot out of her. She definitely has better chances to win something else than here.

But, yeah, I mean, it's hard to say, when it happens. I think predictions would be harder to say in the future. But I think she's more free to play other tournaments just mentally.