Berlin - Blanka Vlasic successfully managed not to speak out the name of her local rival for the world high jump title.

The words "Ariane" or "Friedrich," let alone "Ariane Friedrich," were not uttered once throughout the 25-minute news conference on Monday. There were just a handful of "she" references.

The duel between Croatia's Vlasic and Friedrich is the highlight for the home team and one of the fiercest at the Berlin worlds.

Vlasic, 25, has been the dominant jumper overall over the past years, winning the 2007 world title, scoring a personal best 2.07m, and only suffering a handful of defeats over the last three seasons.

At the 2008 Olympics she lost on countback against Belgian Tia Hellebaud after both cleared 2.05m. Friedrich then denied Vlasic half of the Golden League 1-million dollar jackpot by winning in Brussels last September.

Most important, Friedrich beat Vlasic in Berlin's Olympic Stadium in June with a national record 2.06m, setting the stage for the duel at the worlds where qualifying is Tuesday and the final on Thursday.

Vlasic, whose season-best is 2.05m, names her relationship with Friedrich "normal, like with any other girl. We say hello, we kiss, talk a little. But there is obviously no deep friendship."

However, as much as Vlasic is aware of the abilities of Friedrich, and other jumpers, she insists that she doesn't look at them.

"I can't influence her, she can't influence me. I don't think in terms of that I can beat somebody. I want to do my best," she says, adding that she is her own motivator in a positive way.

"A friend once said 'you don't have to fight yourself, you have to be friendly to yourself.' So I look at myself, but get a good motivation out of it," she says.

Vlasic said that the painful defeats have been a learning experience and only underline that it is more difficult staying at the top than reaching it.

"I learnt a lot from it. It happens for a reason and makes me a better athlete and professional.

"It is easier getting to the top than staying there. I always wanted to be at the top ... Chasing was easier. I had nothing to defend, everything was a first and gave me the energy to push further," she said.

Despite having to compete on Friedrich's home turf Vlasic is confident for the world championship event to finally show a perfect jump this year.

"I am ready. I have done everything I could. I feel great and am ready to perform great," she said.

"I feel I am not (yet) showing (this year) what I really can do. I felt I made a step forward but haven't had the opportunity to show a perfect jump. I know I have some great jumps in my legs."

Whether that will be good enough to finally better the 20-year-old world record of 2.09m from Bulgarian Stefka Kostadinova remains open.

"Unfortunately I don't have a crystal ball at home. I am working on it. I know it will happen one day," she said. (dpa)