S. CÎRSTEA./J. Jankovic

6‑3, 0‑6, 9‑7

Q. Last two wins, two top 10 players. What's the feeling?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Of course it's a great feeling, and the most important is that I'm happy with my game and the way I'm playing. I hope I can keep up like this, and hope it's just the beginning.

Q. What do you think was the key point today?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: First of all, I really wanted to win. Maybe I wanted too much in the first set and I wasn't playing the right way. I was a little nervous. But then after I lose the first set, I said, I have nothing to lose. I just need to relax.

I did that until the end of the third set when I started to get again nervous because it was an important match for me and was the first time I was playing fourth round.

I really wanted to win, but I think I was trying to take control of all the points and just stay aggressive.

Q. Did you notice that in the stands there were Ion Tiriac, Illie Nastase, and Virginia Ruzici watching you?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Yeah, when I was coming for my match, I saw Mr. Nastase. He said he was coming for my match, so I knew he was there. Virginia, she just sent me a message after my match. I also knew she was there. And Mr. Tiriac, I didn't see him. I'm happy he was also there.

Q. You seem to feel quite comfortable on the big court and everything. Do you like the big stage?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Yeah. I always said that I love playing on big courts, because I love having alot of people supporting me and big crowds. That motivates me a lot.

I mean, at the end the atmosphere was unbelievable, and I think that was a good thing, also, because Ifelt the crowd was with me and that gave me more energy.

Q. It seemed like at times your legs were about to give out, so what did you tell yourself? Just keep going even if I fall down? Doesn't matter?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Exactly. I mean, of course it wasn't easy at the end. I was getting tight, and I started to feel in my hamstring. I was just trying to jump around.

I was looking on the other side, and I saw she was tired, also. So I knew it was also a little bit mental who is going to stay stronger, and I was just trying, you know, to keep the energy coming and just try to hitand keep the points shorter.

Q. It seemed like you were in charge of the points. You were being more aggressive. So did you feel like the match was yours todecide?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Exactly. I mean, my game was always to hit since I was really young. I always thought I'm a hard hitter. And also today I was trying to take control. Even if I was winning some points and losing, I was always trying, you know, to take control. I think when I did that, I was winning.

Q. You just talked about when you were young. You're still young. Can you talk about the development of your game? Were you able to stay at home to develop your game? Did you have to leave? Who were your big influences?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: I mean, I grew up in Romania, and I started tennis when I was four. That was a new thing for Romania, because never happen before. I started playing because of Steffi Graf. I saw her on TV all the time.

I mean, I always wanted to be professional. I always wanted belike her since I was really young. I remember always like focusing and trying to take tennis serious.

Now I'm at a level that honestly I was hoping one day, and I mean, it's good to be here.

Q. Also when someone like yourself that's not that well‑known breaks through at a Grand Slam there is a lot of attention. All of a sudden someone wants to know your life story. Are you ready for that?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: I think I'm ready. I prefer having good results with attention and having no results and no attention. So I think everything comes together, and I hope I can handle everything.

Q. Some other players of your generation like Wozniacki or Radwanska, Azarenka were in the top 20 by the end of last season, and then you were behind them. Was it encouraging for you to see them doing so well? Because you are of the same age.

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Exactly. I mean, I'm the same age like Caroline, and I'm one year younger than Victoria or Agnieszka. We grew up playing juniors together and we know each other so well. Of course, it's inspiring to see them up there, because it gives you also more ‑‑ you think that you can do it.

But I think for me was a little harder, because I wanted things happening too fast, you know. I think the best thing for me lately is I'm trying to have more patience and taking the wins and the lose the same.

Just working hard, you know. Because before I wanted things too fast, and I was little disappointed when they weren't happening.

Q. The fact that you were in the adidas team with Sven Groeneveld and Caroline, is itsomething very important for you?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Of course. I mean, you don't find this too often in tennis, and adidas has this player development program which is unbelievable. They have done so much for me.

Lately I have been working with Sven Groeneveld and Darren Cahill, and they've helped me alot. I feel my game is improving.

And also Caroline, she's my best friend onthe tour. We spend a lot of time together. It's great to be on a team,because tennis is a long sport. So when you feel you belong to something, it's better.

Q. You face Samantha Stosur from Australia in your next round. Do you know much about her, and are you expecting another tough match?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: I mean, of course I expect a tough match,because just seven players left except me. I mean, they're all playing great, because they're playing good ifthey're here.

I know she's a great player with a great experience, and she's very talented and it will be a hard match, but I hope I can keep the same and just focus on my side.

Q. We've seen you play on the court. Can you tell us about you offcourt, like what kind of person are you?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: That's a hard question. I mean, just saying a few words. It's tough, because I think I'm a little bit different than all the others. Off the court I have a lot of things. I'm still in last year of high school, so I'm still studying a little bit. I have a lot of passions, so...

I mean, it's good to have something you can get out when you want to have some relaxing time.

Q. When did you stop going to school full‑time in Romania and started doing independent study?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: I'm going to a normal high school, so I've always been traveling, you know, like since I was eight, but like first like small level and then I was traveling more and more.

But I always kept goingto a normal school and normal class and the teachers, when I'm not there, they know I'm in tournaments. Now they can see me on TV. They know I'm not somewhere else.

I'm going to finish this year high school and then it's going to be easier.

Q. So are you a very good student?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: I'm trying. (laughter.) I'm trying. Because I think it's nice, you know, just to have something different to focus besides tennis.

Q. What do you like to study?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: I like English, honestly.

Q. So English reading or English speaking?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Both. And of course I like geography because I'm traveling so much, and it makes really things easier for me. Yeah, I like also Romanian and I think everything, because it's interesting.

Q. So you read a lot? What's your favorite book?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: I do read a lot, but now I'm reading all these Romanian authors because I have to study for my exam. In my spare time I like to read a lot, and I like thrillers and action, so...

Q. What I wanted to ask you, what you had a passion, but he asked you 10 different questions, so now I know everything. Just let me know if you have a boyfriend so we know something new.

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Yeah, I already ‑‑ I mean, no, I don't have any boyfriend.

Q. Have you been studying during your time here?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Honestly I haven't been studying this week. I think I was just trying to focus on Roland Garros. I can study after I finish the tournament again.

Q. When are your exams?

SORANA CÎRSTEA: Before US Open.