CHINA OPEN

October 8, 2026

Nikola Bartunkova

Mixed Zone

N. BARTUNKOVA/K. Muchova

6-3, 6-0

Q. (Question about how the match went today.)

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: Today I was really aggressive. I didn't was like very nervous. Yeah, try to put my best tennis. I did it.

So it was great match for me, yeah.

Q. Back in Prague you mentioned you and Karolina trained in the same club. Did you follow her rise that you're having right now yourself?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: Yeah, I follow her a lot. I have also similar style like her, playing lot of dropshots, volleys. I like her because she's also a great human being.

Yeah, it's also great that we were in quarterfinal together and also from the same club. Yeah, it's great.

Q. What's the name of the club? Secondly, did you practice together at all or did you just see her or you just know you are from the same club?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: I know her a lot, but I didn't practice with her a lot. I just I think twice in my life, yeah.

But the name of the my club is Å tvanice in Prague.

Q. This is your first time playing at the China Open. How do you like the atmosphere here?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: It's great. It's great. Everything. Also the fans coming from my practices, it's not usual for me. Yeah, it's great for me. Everything, it's huge, massive. I'm also here for the first time. I just enjoying the moment. Yeah, the results are great for me here. So just really happy now.

Q. Last year you were still playing challengers. You broke into top 200 for the first time. Now you're making your first WTA 1000 level semifinal. Tell us how special that is to you.

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: It means a lot. Before this year I didn't honestly expect that I would be here or stay here or be in semifinal in 1000. Last year I think I was around 600 in January. Now, yeah, I'm almost top 30.

It's means a lot. For me, most important to improving my style, my game, just enjoying the tennis.

Q. You've beaten three top-10 players this year, including two in the China Open. What has been clicking for you as of recently in this tournament and why?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: Can you repeat?

Q. You've beaten three top-10 players this year, two in the China Open. What has been clicking for you game-wise and why?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: Yeah, it's great. It sounds great. Every match I just trying to improving my game. Yeah, it's great that I beat the players like top 10 or top 20. Also here I beat Sabalenka, Muchova, but also Frech and Kraus. Was tough match for me.

It's great. It sounds great.

Q. Czech women's tennis has been very successful these days. You were born from this system. What makes Czech so special?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: I think everything together. Since we were kid, we have lot of tournaments. I have lot of (indiscernible) with Sara Bejlek, Tereza Valentova. We play many, many matches when we were young. Yeah, also we have great coaches. But also great parents. My dad is also tennis coach.

It means a lot for me. Yeah, I think that's why we are so successful in our country.

Q. When you arrived here, you said it's your first time in Beijing, China Open. How were you feeling coming out of US Open? Where was the confidence level? Was this a result that you hoped for or expected?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: No, for sure not before this tournament. I played lot of practices with, I don't know, top players, Swiatek, Gauff, others. Maybe it helps little bit. I think I was one week before the tournament. I tried to play a lot of practices, lot of matches.

Yeah, I think that was the reason I had good preparation for this tournament. So yeah, I had a confident. But honestly I didn't expect these results, yeah.

Q. You're set to play Alexandrova or Andreeva. What are your thoughts on playing those opponents?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: Andreeva, I know her because I played in US Open last match. I lost unfortunately, but it was also great match. Mirra played really well. Also it was really close, especially in the second set. Yeah, she's a Grand Slam champion this year.

Also Alexandrova, I know her a little bit because she's living in Czech. Both players I know little bit, but more Mirra because she's young, closer like me.

Q. What does it mean to you to see Mirra, who is a year younger than you are, win a Grand Slam, be top 5 in the world? In May when that happened, how much does that give you younger guys a little bit of motivation that these big results are possible, despite being so young?

NIKOLA BARTUNKOVA: Yeah, it's great that Mirra, she's already Grand Slam champion. She's younger than me. But I also focus on myself. It's a bit different. I have a little bit different style like her.

It sounds great that the young generation comes through. Yeah, it's great. I'm just really happy that I am part of this generation.