As the final four of the 2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria is confirmed following Saturday’s quarter-finals, europeantour.com summarises the thoughts of the victors…
Branden Grace (after beating Chris Wood 2&1)
“I can't remember the last time I played 36 holes in one day, but it was good. I must say, we still had a decent ball striking day out there. We gave ourselves plenty of opportunities but just couldn't finish it off with the putter. That works both ways. Unfortunately for him, the short miss on 16 and another three putt on 17, and I did just enough in the end. I’ve got a few little aches and pains, a little stiff. It's been a long day! Maybe I’ll have something cool, a little ice cream and just chill out.”
On facing Graeme McDowell in the semi-final tomorrow: “Any game is a tough game out here. I know Graeme came up one game short last year and he's going to be tough - he's not top ten in the world for nothing.”
Thomas Aiken (after beating Francesco Molinari 3&2)
“It's been a long day. I’m just happy to get a win in before the 18th hole. I played solid this afternoon. Francesco hit some decent shots but unfortunately he just didn't sink enough putts. You know, it can be a long game this match play and 36 holes a day is definitely starting to take its physical toll. We've got a lot of history in this tournament with Gary Player and Ernie Els winning it so many times, so let it be another South African this year.”
Thongchai Jaidee (after beating Scott Jamieson 4&3)
“I played solid today again. This morning, I played very well, too, and we had 21 holes. I'm very confident with this format. More importantly, this week I'm hitting the ball well and the putting is getting better.”
Graeme McDowell (after beating Nicolas Colsaerts 2&1)
“I was disappointed in the final last year; conditions were tough and I didn't really give him enough of a game. He's a very good match player, really good short game and always looks aggressive with his putter and he's a tough guy to beat. I've played the first ten or 11 holes here every day about as good as I can possibly play and for some reason I just can't work out these last five or six holes. All in all, I made some average ish swings coming in there but my game is ticking over and, most importantly, I'm surviving out here and it is all about survival. Sometimes you win good and sometimes you win ugly and we'll take whatever comes.”
