OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 9, 2021

Maria Sakkari

Press Conference

M. SAKKARI/M. Bouzkova

6-4, 3-1 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You seemed to have enjoyed your day. You were smiling on the court a few times, eating your banana calmly between games. Talk to me about your mindset coming into the match.

MARIA SAKKARI: Well, you know, it was a little bit -- it was shocking when I walked on the court and there was a crowd. I haven't seen that since Roland Garros. That was a very nice thing.

I think it was unfortunate she had to retire.

Being a break down in the first set, then finding a way to win, was the key today. I'm very glad I found a way to win and gave myself a chance to play a better match in the second round.

Q. How are you going to prepare for the next match?

MARIA SAKKARI: Well, first of all I have to see who wins, who I'm playing tomorrow. But no matter who wins, I think it's going to be a very tough match because they're two great opponents.

I'm lucky I have a day off just to get more time on the court. It's going to be like any other match. I don't know what to say. It depends also who wins because that's it.

Q. Depending on who wins and you are going to play, are you going to analyze your opponent with your coach?

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, that's what I do before every match. I'm not just going on court without any game plan. That's a very important thing to me.

After we get the winner, for sure we're going to analyze and see what we have to do so I'm ready to play on Wednesday.

Q. How do you feel about the first win in the main draw in Canada? It may not have been the most spectacular one, but it's still a win, right?

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, I mean, I always came into Canada from going deep the week before, so I never had the time to prepare and play well. This time I gave myself more time because I didn't play any tournaments last week.

I'm glad because I like Canada. Especially both cities are very nice. We're unlucky that we cannot go out. But playing especially in front of a crowd gave me a lot of joy and confidence.