By Neil Maidment
LONDON (Reuters) - Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva was happy to talk Dutch soccer, education, even a little tennis after Thursday's victory over Tsvetana Pironkova but she drew a line at the global economic situation.
The 25-year-old Russian, whose first major final will be against defending champion Serena Williams on Saturday, wore a huge smile as she entered her post-match press conference after an eventually convincing 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over the unseeded Bulgarian on Center Court.
"I'm very excited. I think I haven't realized it yet that I will be playing in the final. But, it's one of my dreams to be out there, to be on the Center Court, and play in the finals of Wimbledon," she told reporters.
The confident 21st seed recovered from a slow start against Bulgaria's Pironkova to show some of the form that had already seen her defeat Serb Jelena Jankovic and U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters at the All England Club.
She would have expected to field questions on her plans to topple 12-time grand slam winning opponent Serena Williams, but instead it was her education that drew the focus.
Zvonareva, who has a degree in physical education, is now studying international economic relations in Russia with classes and exams looming upon her return.
Asked if she cared to give her view on the global economic crisis, she declined gracefully with a smile: "Maybe when I graduate I will be able to answer that better."
"Traveling around the world, meeting different people, I just thought that international economic relations is something interesting."
SERENA CHALLENGE
Turning back to tennis, the 2009 Australian Open semi-finalist swapped smiles for a serious face as she made it clear she was in no mood to play the role of underdog come Saturday.
"I always believe in myself. I don't care about what everyone says," she said. "I know if I play my best tennis I can beat anyone on the other side of the net.
"That's what I'm going try to do on Saturday. I never look at any odds or comparisons. It's not important to me."
Zvonareva, whose semi-final appearance ensured a Russian woman has now reached that stage at Wimbledon for six of the last seven years, will be doing her best to douse a big Williams serve.
"(Her serve) is a very big advantage, especially here on the grass but there will be moments where she doesn't make a first serve, so then you will just have to take your chances," said Zvonareva, whose biggest win to date was at Indian Wells in 2009.
As for Dutch soccer, Zvonareva spent time rehabilitating after surgery with then-injured Arsenal and Dutch international forward Robin Van Persie in Amsterdam.
Would she be watching him play in Friday's World Cup quarter-final with Brazil?
"I might," she said coyly.
(Editing by Miles Evans)
