BNP Paribas Open Day 12 : Something About That Apartment Building In Monte Carlo

Women’s Singles – Finals
[1] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d [15] Marion Bartoli (FRA) 6-1, 2-6, 6-3

Caroline Wozniacki, Novak Djokovic‘s neighbor in their Monte Carlo apartment complex took her second WTA title of the 2011 season at the BNP Paribas Open with a three-set win over Marion Bartoli.

Wozniacki:” I can keep playing out there for hours and hours.” “It’s definitely a good sign for me when I can see the opponent getting a little bit more tired. We had a lot of long rallies, but I felt like I recovered maybe a little bit faster than she did. That’s a good feeling to have on my side.”

“She just went for her shots. She started to hit even harder.” “I didn’t feel I played badly. I thought actually I played pretty good, but she was very steady, keeping the pressure.”

“In the third set I just kept my head cool. We had a lot of long rallies but I came up with the wins.” “I thought if she kept playing like she was, then it would just be too good. But I wasn’t going to give her anything.

“I just love playing matches. I like winning. I like holding the trophy.”

“This is such an amazing event and everyone loves playing here. I’m already looking forward to playing here next year.”  “Marion, amazing tournament this week. I’m sorry I had to beat you in the finals. I’m sure we’ll have a lot of good matches in the future. This has been really special for me. Thanks to everyone for supporting me, especially the crowd, I appreciate it so much.”

In her own words, Bartoli during the trophy presentation:

“I’m sorry, I’m a little bit in tears right now, but it’s more tears of tiredness – Caroline, you made me really tired today!” “Caroline, you should be very proud of yourself and I wish you all the best in the future. I know your goal is to get a Grand Slam. I’m sure you’ll get it very soon.

“I’d also like to thank my dad. He was there when I hit my first ball at five and a half years old, and I hope he’ll be there to see me hit my last one.”

“After the first set today I started to play a lot better. Honestly, from the second set towards the end, it was one of the best matches I’ve ever played”. “Sometimes you come up a bit short. It was a really great fight. But if I keep working like that, I’m sure I’ll improve and be an even better player.

“It has been a while since I was in the Top 10. I really want to be at the Championships at the end of the year. That’s one of my main goals.”

With her performance in Indian Wells, Bartoli is projected to make her return to the Top 10 for the first time since July 6, 2008.

Singles – Finals [3] Novak Djokovic (SRB) d [1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

Novak Djokovic continued his perfect 2011 season with a BNP Paribas Open title  by rallying to defeat Rafael Nadal for the first time ever in a final – 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Before Sunday Djokovic was 0-5 facing Nadal in finals.

Djokovic has won 18 matches in a row to begin the season, 20 in sucession if you go back to Davis Cup. For his efforts this week,  Djokovic moves up to No. 2 in the world on Monday.

During the post-match news conference, Djokovic called Nadal the greatest ever, “I think he’s the best ever because, even though he’s 24 years old, he has done so much already”  “Many years in front of him too, I think even to overtake Roger in the Grand Slam trophies.”

In their own words:

Djokovic: “I don’t think anybody is unbeatable. I do have the best period of my life on the tennis court, but nobody is invincible. Still you are just trying to play your best in each match you’re playing.”

“I am playing with a lot of confidence. I’m feeling the ball well on the court. I’m very dedicated. I have a big will to win each match I’m playing on, so it will not stop here, definitely. I want to keep on going and keep on playing good tennis. Hopefully I can recover and get ready for Miami.”

“It was just the question of momentum. I managed to hold that very important game at 5-3 and then I was on a roll. I felt that this is the time when I had to use my opportunity and step in and be more aggressive and take it to him, and that’s what I did. Again, it was just a couple of points in the end of the second set that kind of turned the match around.”

Nadal: “The serve was the difference today in my opinion. It’s true I played with less intensity after the first set, but I think everything is because of the serve. So just congratulate him. I think he did better than possible to start one season. He’s playing well. He’s in the right place at the right moment, so all the best for him for the rest of the season.”