So many times in my matches, especially when I was coming up and I was really, really young and not having the experience, I was sometimes beating myself and not really playing the opponent.

I think we all know how well she can really play. But to her credit, I thought she kept fighting until the end.

I had inflammation of tendonitis and felt it three days ago so I couldn't practice before the tournament.

I made the second set very difficult for myself, but I managed to turn it around in the third. That was the best part of my match.

It means a lot. Finally I can say that I'm able to play and beat anyone, and it just gives me so much confidence. I had so many matches like this where I was really close to beating the top players and finally I did it today. I'm just really extremely happy about that.

Definitely I felt like I always played well in Tokyo, I like the fast speed of the ball, it's very similar to grass.

She is a dangerous player and also very experienced.

I was playing well in the first set, then for some reason I decided to make it difficult for myself in the second set. I was able to get back in form and win it. The conditions were very hot but it was the same for both of us.

I wasn't aggressive enough in the first set, so after that, I told myself to hang in there and wait for my shots. I definitely feel like I always play well in Tokyo, and I think I'm off to a good start this week. I love the court here. I like the speed. It's like grass, which is my favorite surface.