XVII Pan American Games Quotes – Day 3 USA after they beat Canada in the women’s team semi finals: Zheng Jiaqi - “I played Zhang Mo about eight years ago at the U.S. Open and I lost in seven games. The first game was close because I found it difficult find a rhythm to my play; when she plays from the forehand the ball comes to you very flat.” “After the close first game I slowed down and focused my attentions on keeping the ball short” Lily Zhang - “I was a bit shaky, a bit nervous in the first game against Anqi. After I won the opening game, I relaxed; I change the rhythm of the play, changed my top spin attacking strokes, sometimes fast sometimes slow.” Wu Yue - “Actually we don’t play together that much, I live in Newark, Jiaqi lives in California. However we are good friends and she is so good with her short play, it creates openings for me to attack.” Brazil after they beat Puerto Rico 3-1 in the women’s team semi finals: Caroline Kumuhara - “I tried not to think of the match score, especially in the first match I played when we were down one-nil; I tried to keep calm, play consistently, put the ball on the table.” “Carelyn and myself, we have played each other many times, she knows my style, I know how she plays; so it was a case of playing point by point. Today I did not think the quality of my play was that good but mentally I felt strong.” Hugo Hoyama, the Brazilian coach - “Gui Lin lost but she reacted well; with Ligia she played well in the doubles. There is a unity in the team, they are very much together, they fight for each other.” Bladimir Diaz, the Puerto Rican coach after Puerto Rico lost 1-3 to Brazil in the women’s team semi finals: “We lost but we competed against a team who won the Second Division at last year’s World Championships and next year will play in the Championship Page 1 of 3 Division; today we showed we are at the same level. We are growing, we are improving all the time; in four years’ time we have a big chance.” Paraguay after beating Puerto Rico 3-0 in the men’s singles semi final: Alejandro Toranzos - “Before the match started I knew we had a medal, so I didn’t feel under any great pressure today. I was relaxed from the very start and I was able to put Brian under pressure.” Marcelo Aguirre - “Incredible, normally we lose the first match. I’m not saying I thought Alejandro would lose against Brian but he is Puerto Rico’s top player, Alejandro is our number two, so it was a real boost that he won.” Brazil after beating Canada in the men’s team semi final: Hugo Calderano - “Most definitely Eugene Wang is very tough opponent; he has a great deal of experience and he knows how to handle himself in difficult situations. He plays with good control, his first attack is very safe, he is very secure.” Jean-René Mounié, the Brazilian Men’s National Team coach - “Certainly Hugo gave us a great start but Gustavo was very good against Pierre-Luc; he his dangerous and this is the Games, players raise their levels. It was a good performance from the whole team; mentally they were very good.” USA after beating Brazil in the women’s team final: Zheng Jiaqi - “Guo Lin puts a lot of top spin on the ball; it was important that I was patient and kept the play short. Also I was able to take advantage of my services and be the first to attack, it was the first time I had played her; before the match I was nervous.” Lily Zhang - “We know each other so well, we have played many times and Caroline is very strong from the backhand do whenever I could I tried to change the amount of top spin on the ball. In the fifth game I tried not to think of the score, just about playing my style and keeping a clear head.” Wu Yue - “It’s amazing. Before the match I was both nervous and confident; I think the main reason we won is because we were able to return the ball short and then take the initiative.” Brazil after beating Paraguay in the men’s team final: Page 2 of 3 Thiago Monteiro - "I feel I played well today because it was the final, for us there was pressure for Marcelo there was no pressure, Paraguay was not expected to reach the final, he could play free and relaxed way" "I'm very satisfied with the result. It has certainly given me confidence for the singles." Hugo Calderano - “It is amazing that I have won gold at my first ever Pan Am’s. It was a lot of pressure playing in the first match today, but I am very pleased to have given the team the best possible start.” Page 3 of 3 .