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U.S. OPEN

August 28, 2018

Angelique Kerber

New York, NY, USA

A. KERBER/M. Gasparyan

7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How did you deal with the conditions out there? How happy are you to get the win today?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: I mean, it was really not easy with the conditions. Especially also because, like, at the beginning of the match we had, like, sun, shadow. It was so hot with the sun.

But, I mean, I was just trying to focusing on every single point. I was trying to not thinking too much about the conditions.

Yeah, it was really not easy out there today.

Q. Do you remember a hotter day when you had to play a match, or does this rank up there?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: I think it's one of the hottest days that I remember here, for sure. Yeah, but I was expecting this, so I was really trying also before the match drinking a lot of water and trying to staying in the locker room where it's a little bit cooler. But at the end, when you're out there, you just try to survive a little bit.

Q. What are you drinking out there? Is it just plain water, or do you have something in the water that keeps you...
ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, I have a little bit inside. Yeah, I have also water. I think water, you have to drink a lot, like I said, also before. Now after, as well. Yeah, putting a lot of water in your body right now, because you're sweating a lot and you have to fill it out again.

Q. Do you think it's something similar to rain, if there is a rain delay, should there be an adjustment?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: We have the 10-minutes' rule after the second set, so, you know, I think it is for everybody the same conditions. And of course you have days like this, but, yeah, I mean, you just try to do the best you can do in this situation.

Q. Could you talk just a little bit about Margarita Gasparyan and what did you think about her game today? What did she do physically well that tried you?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: I mean, this is the first time that we played against each other, and she was really hitting the balls really good, really clean.

I mean, I knew that she was injured for a long time right now. Now she's coming back. I mean, if she's playing like this in the next weeks and months, for sure, she is really soon really high in the rankings.

Yeah, it was a really good match on the really high level from both of us, especially in the first set. We had really good points and long points, long rallies.

So, yeah, I mean, she's, for sure, really good player also for the future.

Q. What did you make of her backhand? I mean, there is not that many one-handed backhands on tour. How does hers stack up to Carla or whoever else out there?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know, it is looking like, really clean, really old school. I think that the backhand is really dangerous. She can do everything with this, can play slice, can go down the line. So, yeah, I think it's also a good shot for her.

Q. It hasn't been the easiest summer trying to get matches on the hard courts. What were you particularly happy with today?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know, I was trying the last days to really find my rhythm, especially after Cincinnati and after Montreal where I was not feeling the rhythm after the grass courts, coming out to the hard court. But right now, I'm feeling good.

I like to play here. For me, it is a really special place, so I am just trying also to take the memories from the last years. I mean, playing every single point, enjoying it also on and off court.

Yeah, I think that the first rounds are always not so easy to find the rhythm in the tournament, but, yeah, I'm really happy that I'm through after this really tough first-round match.

Q. Johanna Larsson next. Your thoughts on that, how you'll prepare?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, I know how to expect, I know how she's playing. For me, it's the same, like before that match I will focusing on my game, trying to, yeah, playing good tennis, going out there, trying to win the match, of course. But I know also that it will be not the easy next round.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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