Desert fan Hantuchova back to defend Indian Wells title
INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova is back at one of her favorite venues this week to defend her Pacific Life Open title at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The 24-year-old won the tournament for a second time by beating Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4 in last year's final and relishes playing in the California desert.
"I feel like I own this place," Hantuchova told Reuters on Wednesday while preparing for her second-round match against American Angela Haynes.
The Slovakian is the fifth seed at the opening Masters Series event of the season. All seeded players get a bye in the first round.
"Ever since I got here the first time, I have always felt so great here," Hantuchova added. "I guess the atmosphere is so relaxing.
"There are really no distractions so you can just focus on the tennis and I think that's what helps me, just being focused and enjoying my time here so much."
Although a few leading players in recent years have described the Indian Wells Tennis Garden's hardcourt surface as too slow, Hantuchova disagrees.
RIGHT BOUNCE
"I love it," she said.
"It's incredible. As soon as I get on the centre court, it feels like this is the right bounce and the right surface for me.
"It's not too fast, not too slow. It's something in between and when you hit the ball well, it's going where you want it to be."
The world number eight, who clinched her first Pacific Life Open crown in 2002, is eager to build on her good start to the year.
She lost to Serbian Ana Ivanovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January and has reached the last eight in Paris and Antwerp.
"It's been a great start and I just feel so confident," said Hantuchova, a winner of three WTA career titles.
"It showed me again that I am right there. I was very close to making the finals in Australia and I just want to keep going like that."
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
