MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 3, 2023

Veronika Kudermetova

Press Conference

V. KUDERMETOVA/J. Pegula

6-4, 0-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. You're through to your first semifinal at a WTA 1000. How do you feel today?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yeah, I feel so happy. Like you say, first semifinal in 1000. I mean, really happy and proud of myself. I mean, every day long matches, but I manage to win that matches (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Can you just talk through the match, just what you felt like you were doing well in the first set, why the second set kind of changed a little bit, and then the third set, what was the key?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yeah, I think first set I start to play really well. I mean, on the return I do a lot of winners. I mean, I play rallies, I move her. I feel also she was a little bit tired today.

I mean, first set was pretty good for myself, but in the second set, I think Jessica, she start to play a little bit more aggressive. I was maybe a little bit tired, but to be honest, in the second set I start to laughing that, Veronika, you want to kill yourself. Again, three-set battle (smiling).

Yeah, I mean, was really tough set. But before the final set, I say to myself, Veronika, you need to try to do something, because if you will continue to play like this you will lose for sure. You need to start to play a little bit more aggressive.

I mean, it was very important to broke her in the first game. I mean, just, you know, the key of that first set was to play aggressive, to serving well and try to do everything.

Q. All the matches, if I'm not wrong, all the matches you have won in three sets. How do you do to maintain calming, to stay focused? And how are you? Are you too tired or are you okay?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: No, today right now I'm pretty fresh because I play only two hours (smiling). Last matches I play almost three hours every match.

I don't know. Maybe I'm physically very strong, and in my mind was that thing that I can play three, four hours, doesn't matter what was the score, but I will fight, I will try today everything.

Q. When you're 3-Love, 4-Love down in the second set, were you already thinking about the third set? Maybe just making sure you're ready for that third set?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yeah, yeah, you're right. I mean, in the middle of the second set, I already start to think about the third set, that I need to be ready and focused for the final set, because it's very important.

I mean, in the second set I try to do, I still try to do something, but was already late. She play very good.

Q. You won. So good news. Tell us about the point on top of the net, the smash that went out. What were you thinking immediately after?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Tough to explain what I feel (smiling). A lot of emotions inside of me, but I try to, you know, try to forgot and try to smile on that mistake.

I think this is also very important when you miss easy ball you try to forget faster as possible, and just try to keep playing with a smile, with fighting.

Q. What is the thing you are most proud of today? Making your first WTA 1000? Getting a top-5 win over someone who has been so consistent in Jessica? What gives you the most pride today?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Maybe, you know, I mean, like I say, play every match almost three hours. Today was not easy to play against Jessica in quarterfinal in 1000, and I think most important that I stay focused, I stay in the game. Doesn't matter how many hours I play before, but I try to fight and try to be in the game.

Q. Are you going to have a beer after this? Is that the good-luck thing this tournament in Madrid is the celebratory beer?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: Yes. (Laughter.)

Q. Looking ahead, you'll play either Iga or Petra. You haven't, I think, beaten either of them yet. Can you talk about facing Iga, first of all, and then also facing Petra?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: I mean, for sure it doesn't matter who will stay on other side. I will try to show my best, my best tennis, my best physic form.

I mean, will be not easy to play against Iga or Petra Martic. I mean, for sure it will be tough match, but I am looking forward for that challenge. I mean, I never beat Iga, never beat Petra. I will try to do my best and looking forward for that.

Q. It seemed today as though you were in most return games, so most of the time Jessica was serving. Some of your returns towards the end were pretty special. Just tell us about that.

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: I mean, the return is always very important, very special, because sometimes you lose the serve but you need to keep playing on the return.

Today it was really work well. I mean, in the final set a lot of time we break each other, but yeah, when it was 3-All, it was so nice game. I mean, a lot of winners from the return. Was very deep return. I mean, this was very good, you know, very powerful. I played that game with a lot of energy, you know.

Q. I don't know how much you watch Iga at all, but I'm curious what impresses you about the way that she plays her tennis and what gives you belief for that semifinal if you play her?

VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA: I mean, I think she play like, you know, the men's stylish game, because she do a lot of kick, she try to play very aggressive.

I mean, if I'm looking for that, it's not giving me like confident, but I try to show my best, try to do the right things on the court. And I think this will be very important, just, you know, doesn't matter what was the score, but I know what I need to do.