Q. Are you glad to play the next round against Kuznetsova and what you think about this game?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I'm excited. I played Svetlana once before in Wimbledon, it was a tough match. I think I have good chances. I'm playing very well lately. Definitely it's my first ever semifinal in a Grand Slam. So very excited.

Q. The last two wins against the No. 1 player and now Venus Williams, both matches in which you lost the first set and stay composed enough to win. When was the last time you were truly nervous on a court?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: A couple hours ago, at match point. You know, you kind of ‑‑ of course, I was nervous, you know. You have the whole stadium there, you have match points, you're so close. You definitely get a little nervous.

Q. First set tiebreaker, you had a clear lead. She storms back to get it. Did you feel that was Venus lifting her level, a drop in your level?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I think the first set in general was not a great set. I served very bad. Didn't get many serves in. She took advantage of that. I fell asleep a little bit there, didn't use my chances in the tiebreak and everything. It was definitely not a very good set.

But luckily I stayed very calm, tried to be very positive. It worked out.

Q. Fair to say this is a breakthrough tournament for you? We've known about your name for a while, but a Grand Slam semi. Is there a sense that you've arrived?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Yeah, definitely, you know, I've been practicing. I felt, you know, that my game is getting better, getting there, I can get to next level. You know, I'm definitely very happy with the stage where I am now.

Q. Players often tell you they think they can win a title at a Grand Slam. They never want to say they don't. Do you truly believe at this stage with possibly two matches to go that you can win the French Open?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I'm not taking it as there are two matches left. You know, there's the next match, which is incredibly hard. I'm not thinking at the title right now. I'm not thinking about it. I'm thinking about my semifinal on Thursday. This is as far as it goes right now.

Q. What were you most pleased about in your game today? What do you think you did well?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I think in general I just kept fighting, you know, getting as many balls back as I could, try to move her around. I think in general, you know, I kept, you know, hanging in there even though the lost the first set. Definitely picked up my serve a little bit.

Q. You've beaten the world No. 1 in the last round, former world No. 1 in this round. What does that do for your self‑belief?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I mean, it's great. Twice in a row, you know, some great play. You know, struggle a little bit with some parts today and still pull it off. You know, it's great.

You know, it definitely boosts your confidence a lot.

Q. Given where Venus is in her career, coming and going on and off the tour, what do you think when you're going out to play Venus in a Grand Slam quarter?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Always very dangerous. Former world No. 1, a Grand Slam winner. Still incredibly good athlete. I knew it's going to be a very tough match from the beginning, whatever happens. I knew I'll have to be very focused, play one of my best tennis.

Q. What is the difference in your game and also in yourself between now and when you last played Venus when you lost to her in Istanbul a year ago?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I think I've improved a little since then, you know. I've just been working hard with my dad on everything. My movement a little bit, my power, my speed, everything ‑‑ just putting my game together. You know, apparently paid off, so happy about that.

Q. May we know something more about your early life in Germany. When you were six years old, you left Germany to go back to Prague?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Yes.

Q. But you were already playing in Germany, correct?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: For a couple months, yeah.

Q. Then you went to Prague and you were playing well in which club? Who were inspiring you for tennis? Czech players, German players, your stepfather?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I've been in Germany since some while, definitely Steffi Graf was my inspiration. I don't think there's going to be anybody beating her records, anything she does. I definitely admire her on court and off court, how she carried herself, so much class. She's definitely a great example.

Q. Then you went back to Czech?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Yes, I went back home to Czech to practice in Sparta Club. I don't know.

Q. Two days ago against Amélie, now today against Venus, what spurred you into the game after losing the first set?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: You're in the quarterfinals, Round of 16 of a Grand Slam, you're not just going to give it up, say, "Maybe I'll try next time." You just give it your all, know you've done a hundred percent. If you lose even then, then bad luck. But you have to give it your all. I definitely tried to do that, just tried to be positive because, you know, I've played matches when I was negative after I lost the first set, you know, just lost the second as well.

Q. When did you first become aware of Venus Williams?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: When I was young, 11, 12. I used to play with the same racquet as she did. It was yellow. You know, but definitely great player. I definitely admired the way of the style of game. Her backhand was unbelievable. And served, you know, one of the fastest serves. So definitely was watching her, too.

Q. On television principally?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Yeah, sometimes.

Q. When did you first see her live?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Probably two years ago at the US Open, my first ever Grand Slam I qualified for. So I saw them in the locker room, all of them. I was very excited. I saw all of those big names around. So probably then.

Q. Now you've become one.

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: No, not yet. But I'm working on it (smiling).

Q. Any special reason why you feel you're playing as well as you are here, penetrating as deeply as you are? Anything we don't know what's happened with your game or confidence recently? How do you explain it?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I don't know myself. You know, clay was definitely not my number one pick. You know I love hard courts. Surprised myself a little bit. I knew before I came here that I see the changes in my game a little bit from, you know, with my dad who has been working with me on it. Definitely, you know, played a little more matches, you know, tried to get a little more experience, you know, on the big stages. You know, in Australia I played on center court and US. By picking up those matches, it's definitely great. You know, you can take a lot of it to your next matches. Definitely helped a lot, too.

Q. For the last six years, you've been living and working around one of the great characters in tennis, Nick Bollettieri. Give us one funny story about Nick Bollettieri.

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: He's a funny guy in general. He's very funny always. He's there since 5 a.m. Your eyes are barely open at 8 a.m., and he's already three hours after his first class. Always see him in the gym at 4 a.m. He's just, you know, a great person. In general, he's very funny, always helps me when I need anything. I think definitely he's a good person to be around.

Q. What has he done for your game?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Any time I need anything from him, he'll help me look at something maybe my dad won't see because he sees me so much, tries to give me advice, motivate me in anything.

Q. I saw Daniel Vacek is the brother of your mother, is that correct?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Yes.

Q. Did you ever play with him or practice or somehow helping you?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: No, not at all. Not really.

Q. Svetlana is a pretty hard‑hitter like you. What in your mind is going to be the key to that match?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Right now I'm not even thinking about the match yet. I'm still in my little La‑La Land. I'll figure out something tomorrow. I'll have to more concentrate on my game. Try to be as focused as best as possible and fight. I think at this point there's not about one tactical thing that's going to get you, you know, further. It's, you know, who wants to win more and who's going to, you know, grind there longer for it.

Q. How much has controlling your emotions been for getting this far in a major?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I think in the last couple rounds, definitely been good at that. You definitely have to have some emotions, get yourself pumped up, but try not to let the negative emotions overcome you.

Q. Before coming to the French, your results on clay were not so good. Was it because you had some problems with your shoulder?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: I had problems with my shoulder for about two weeks or a month, not even that, for the first time. I wasn't really injured. I just felt that if I would go on, it would get injured. I took a break.

But, no, it doesn't affect me at all. Since then I haven't had one problem with it.

Q. How can you explain that you are playing so well in Paris, and tournaments before on clay you were losing first or second round?

NICOLE VAIDISOVA: Especially in Strasbourg I was. You know, in Rome, I played Martina. I think I've done these last couple weeks pretty good. I don't know. I think it was okay.