OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 13, 2021

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/V. Azarenka

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Walk us through the singles match today and how you performed.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, yeah, I'm really happy with this. Was tough match. She play really well. The second set was a little tricky. I'm really happy that I came back in the end of the set and won it actually.

So, yeah, it was tough one, but really happy with the level today.

Q. You talked about it being a little bit tricky. What was tricky about the match? How did you rally to come back and win four in a row?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Because the first game in the second set was a little tricky because I missed a lot of I would say easy balls. After that game emotionally she was up and she was just going for the shots. So for me was tricky.

I'm really happy that I was keep playing, keep moving, keep trying. In the end I finish with a win. So, yeah, really happy with this.

Q. Your state of mind about losing the doubles match, are you very disappointed? Would you have liked to go all the way to the finals, as well?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Of course, I would like to go all the way. Everyone have a bad days. So this is one of those days. Whatever happen, it's already in the past. I just want to focus on my singles.

Q. Back to your first match against Sloane Stephens. You were down 1-4 in the third set. Ever since that moment you won 29 games out of 39. When you start on a roll like this, what happens? It seems like you're unstoppable.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, it was really tough match, I mean, the first match. On the match, somehow I found my game. It's better late than never. That's how we say on Russian (laughter).

After that match, I just didn't want the same situation happen. I was, like, on both matches really focused from the beginning till the end. I knew that, like, even if I am down with the score, I still can come back in the match.

These kind of thoughts help me to be a little bit more free on the court.

Q. Were you scared against Stephens of losing? Do you get to the point where you're scared of losing?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, maybe on the beginning of the third set. I think that's why I was down 1-4. As far as I stop thinking about losing, I start to play tennis.

So, yeah, maybe on the beginning of the third set I wasn't scared, but I just didn't really want to lose this match because I knew that I need all these matches before US Open. For me, these two tournaments are really important. I just wanted to play a lot of matches. I just didn't want to lose it in the first match.

Q. What can you tell us about your next match against Pliskova, which you just played her at Wimbledon? How can you get the best of her this time?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I would say in Wimbledon I had a lot of opportunities on her serve. I just didn't use it. I would say I put a lot of pressure on myself. I wasn't free there.

I would say that tomorrow I have to, first of all, serve well. Secondly, I just have to use all these opportunities on her serve.

Q. It's been almost a year since most tournaments have been played without linesmen. Is this something you prefer? Would you like it to stay that way?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. Sometimes I like to have these challenges. Sometimes, I don't know, I would say it's more natural. But with all these calls, for me I a hundred percent know there wasn't mistakes. I don't know. Both ways are fine for me.

I think maybe with this Hawk-Eye maybe it's better because you know there is no mistakes - hopefully (smiling).

Q. Playing so many singles and doubles matches, it must be tiring. Are you thinking to focus on singles going forward?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, actually that's what I did on the beginning of the season. I didn't play doubles for long. I stopped playing doubles. This tournament I just wanted to play more matches, so that's why we signed with Elise.

Yeah, actually, that's what I'm doing, focusing on the singles. I just stopped playing doubles. Maybe I will play doubles, like, for few tournaments but not like every tournament.