Upbeat after getting past the higher-ranked Aravane Rezai and moving into the Sunfeast Open semi-finals, fifth seed Sania Mirza said she produces her best when under pressure.
"I always play a little better when I am down," said Sania at the post-match media conference, when asked about the turnaround in her performance in Saturday's quarter-final.
Trailing 1-4 in the second set against fourth seed Rezai, Sania went on to win 6-4, 7-5 and reach the semi-finals for the first time this season.
In the second round tie against Sandra Kloesel also, Sania lifted her performance in the last five games after falling behind the German.
"I am just happy to be in the semi-finals," the Hyderabad ace said, adding that there was no real turning point in the match.
She conceded that there was very little difference between her and Rezai.
"It was just a matter of a few points here and there. Rezai has a great backhand, one of the best in women's tennis, which matches my forehand.
"We are both aggressive," she said, adding that she generally tried to keep the ball away from Rezai's backhand.
"I was trying to avoid playing backhand to backhand as that point I would have never won."
