I had close matches with her before but would always lose because I didn't believe I could make it. I'm really excited with the way I played today.

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.

I'm getting there. Today I understood what I have to work on, and I have to just get back to the training court and work about it. But hopefully in a couple matches with top players, I'll get my level and can compete against them in the top level.

The crowd's gonna be against me. Maybe I can do something to get some people with me.