WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 20, 2021

Jil Teichmann

Press Conference

J. TEICHMANN/B. Bencic

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Another great match tonight. Just talk about everything that went right for you tonight against Belinda.

JIL TEICHMANN: Yeah, probably everything, I've got to say. I felt good since the beginning. I served well. I got there -- well, the short ball, I went in. I was defending well. I was moving good. I think everything kind of worked out for me today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. We talked to you a little bit about playing your fellow Swiss female tonight. How did it feel to play Belinda and see her across the court?

JIL TEICHMANN: It's never easy, I'm not gonna lie to you. We hugged before the match; we hugged after the match. Yeah, we know that once we step on court it's business, it's just another player I have to deal with, and she had the same mindset.

So, yeah, at the beginning it's obviously a bit special, but once we're in it, we just look at the game, not looking at the opponent. Or at least I do that way.

Yeah, again, I'm very happy with the win and that everything worked out.

Q. We saw you guys hug each other there after the match. Did you have any words to each other after that?

JIL TEICHMANN: Yeah, she's like, she was really happy for me. I mean, she knew that I have been struggling with a lot of injuries. So she actually is really happy for me.

Same I was for her. I told her after the Olympics that I'm very happy for her, too. She didn't have the best start in the year. But eventually when you work hard, as we both do, yeah, things pay off.

Q. After such a big win for you last evening, when you woke up today, were there any concerns about being able to mentally turn the page? How were you feeling physically and mentally today preparing for today's match?

JIL TEICHMANN: Honestly, I was fine (smiling). I woke up this morning, yeah, happy. I mean, I realized it already last night all the emotions. I was really happy.

But I knew, well, it's not over yet. The tournament is not done yet. Today was the next challenge, a tough opponent, same country, so I was actually really just focusing on what was coming, because that's what I had to do.

So, yeah, that was a bit my mindset.

Q. I believe it was last year maybe in Lexington when perhaps -- I may have asked you about this before -- but maybe about being more traditionally comfortable on clay but then beginning to find some of your best results really on the hard courts. That continued at the start of this year, as well, obviously in Adelaide and Dubai and Miami. Then obviously now here. Can you talk a little bit about what adjustments you have made to your game, whether technically or tactically, or maybe it's just mental and it's just belief? Because you have now beaten two very, very good hard court players by really outhitting them off the ground, and I think it might surprise some people who maybe followed your career earlier.

JIL TEICHMANN: Yeah, probably people are surprised but I'm not (smiling). I mean, I never understood the part that I'm clay court player, honestly. I always felt like I could move and play good everywhere.

I guess it looks more naturally on clay because I probably spent, as a kid, more hours on clay. I'm sliding good, but that doesn't change anything on hard court. I mean, for example, I feel like my serve is much better on hard court than on clay. I mean, I get my free points, I'm not gonna complain about that.

I always heard these comments and never really understood it, because inside of me, I have also talked to my coach about it, because I was, like, What do you think? They were both, like, Hey, we think you can play anywhere good. You adapt everywhere. You move well, you serve good, you're good at the volley, you're good in the back. You're a very complete player.

So my adjustments have just been working on every shot and getting better at that. Not only in the shots, as well like mentally, physically working, just everything. There is no secret, honestly. There is just no secret. I was just trying to put the positives together, and now it's actually working out finally (laughter).

Q. Do you feel the way you're playing this week in Cincinnati, is this comparable or similar to how you were feeling at the start of the year in Dubai, making those results? Or does this feel different, the level that you're playing right now?

JIL TEICHMANN: Yeah, definitely. No, it feels like the beginning of the year, as well, felt like Lexington, Cincinnati -- well, it was in New York, but Cincinnati last year.

So for me it's about keeping this level. I know I said last night already I know I have it in me. So, yeah, I'm just happy that after the injuries I'm back at it. I mean, I'm gonna try to hold it or play like this all the time I can.

Q. If someone had told you at the beginning of the week you'd be in the semifinals of a Masters 1000, what would you have said to them?

JIL TEICHMANN: I mean, that's always a tough question, because I played good last week, and I lost first round against a tough opponent. This week I have been playing tough opponents. I got the wins, but I could have lost perfectly.

You know, the level is really high right now, in the top 100, and I feel like you just have to look match by match. So to answer your question, I honestly don't never look like, Oh, am I going to make it to semis or to the final? Am I gonna win the tournament?

No, I'm going match by match, because I know every match is a big challenge and I need to get the win to get the next chance.

Q. Playing a friend like Belinda, what was that experience like today? Do you have a very close relationship on and off the court?

JIL TEICHMANN: Yeah, as I mentioned that before already, obviously it's tough. We are very good friends off court. We are really actually happy when the other one is making good results, what she actually said at the net, that she's happy for me.

We both know once we go on court, it's business. So we both try to win. We both try to beat each other. There are no hard feelings afterwards.

She just went, she said bye again. Everything is fine, and we're just, like, it's business.

Q. Your next match, you'll face either Karolina or Paula in the semifinals. Can you just talk about the challenge of playing each opponent?

JIL TEICHMANN: They are both really tall (smiling). I mean, I feel like everyone is very tall lately.

Both a good serve, very good serve. Hard hitters. Paula maybe spins a little bit more. But, I mean, they are both in good shape. They have been having very good results. I expect a tough match. They still gotta play so they can, yeah, run around a little bit. (Laughter.)

But, yeah, I'm just looking on my side, gonna try to do the same I have been doing till now. It's working out good. So, yeah, that's it.