TALKING WITH... BRIAN BAKER
September, 2002 continued


Q: How did you pick Chris Guccione as a doubles partner?
A: "I was planning on playing with Rajeev Ram, but he hurt his back and he went home, so I was partnerless. Chris just asked me to play. I don't know if something happened with his partner."

Q: This is your third US Open. What experience did you bring into this one from the others?
A: "I guess the first couple of years I was still in awe of the tournament, but now I have played so many Grand Slams. I played Qualifying (Men's) here and the juniors to the quarterfinals (in singles). I'm more confident and familiar with the surroundings."

Q: What's your favorite tournament?
A: "Junior or Professional?"

Q: It doesn't matter.
A: "I'd have to say this tournament would rank way up there."

Q: What do you consider your best win?
A: "My most significant was last year against Travis Rettenmaier at Kalamazoo, in the quarters. It was six in the third. I won that one and went on to the final and lost to (Alex) Bogomolov."

Note: Immediately following the US Open, Brian Baker won the singles title at the Kentucky International Junior Tennis Derby.

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