“I've exceeded my own expectations and am happy to be playing good tennis once again. I've got a couple of things I have to work on and I'll go where this takes me.”
“I'm not looking for any excuses, she was just too good today. I'm going home with my head up. This is a good start to my comeback. I don't think I played badly today, she was just too good. Being in the finals here in Tokyo really exceeded my expectations.”
“It was probably one Russian too many. It used to be I had to play both Williams sisters and Lindsay Davenport, now it's the Russians. (But) I have surpassed all my expectations of my comeback and feel very good knowing I can go out there and play with the best players in the world.”
“Maria's strengths are her serve and that she is mentally tough. I have nothing to lose but to just go out and play my own game against her. I've wanted to play her since going into retirement.”
“It's really great to be back after all this time. I have very nice memories because I was the first female player to win the title here (in 2001). Hopefully these memories will inspire me and it will be a good week for me in this great event. I was always impressed with the modernity of Dubai and all that it has to offer.”
