■“When they play against me, there are many cases where the other person starts playing badly,'' says Aoi Ito. In this tournament as well, we saw opponents who were confused by her irregular plays such as sliced forehands and were unable to play their best technically and mentally. However, Eva Lys, who won from the qualifying rounds, showed no sign of such mental breakdown. Particularly in the first set, she showed great concentration and Ito was shaken off in a tiebreak.

■However, Ito made a comeback in the second set, quickly took a 5-1 lead, and after a rain break, she took the set back at 6-2. From the second set, Ito said, My backhand started going in, and things started to go the way I like.” She found a momentum and her play became more aggressive. “I tried to hit my shots more than usual,'' she said, adding that she was using more powerful topspin on his forehands. The momentum continued in the final set, resulting in a brilliant come-from-behind victory.

■The momentum did not come naturally. “In the first set, I had a set point, but it was taken away from me at the last minute, so I was mentally down,'' Ito said. Although she said she was in emotional pain, she didn't seem to be affected that badly. Although she admits to herself and to others that she is a “loosey goosey'' tennis player, she says that inside, she's pretty rough and tough.'' Did losing the first set awaken a raging soul in her?

■She was tired from playing so many games, and when she finished the match, she sighed and said, “I'm really tired.'' Although her shots did not improve, she made up for it with her “fighting spirit.'' In this match, of her “heart, technique and body” her “heart“ worked the hardest. Ito, who has a relaxed demeanor off the court as well as on the court, made reporters laugh by saying, “As long as you have guts, you can do anything in life.''