Playing indoors is to her advantage because she doesn't have to move as much.

It's been a tough year. I played too much and I burned myself out indoors (in the indoor tournaments late last year).

It's going to be an interesting two weeks. This is a much stronger field because everyone's back and everyone's playing well.

I still have lots of work to do. I'm not even close to my top shape. So much time away from the tournaments, you really understand how bad you want to play and how much you can enjoy being out there. This is what I live for, for the moment.

Today, I was tense in the first set, and in the second set I started to be more relaxed and to play my game and not expect mistakes from her. I started to go for my forehand and just enjoy the tennis. I think we did a great match.

I know the way Vera is. Once I lost to her because she started crying and talking during changeovers. But she has played so many tournaments in a row and came in tired. I was trying to focus.