WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 21, 2021

Angelique Kerber

Press Conference

A. BARTY/A. Kerber

6-2, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Ash is a tough opponent. Very tough conditions today. Talk us through the match from your perspective.

ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know, I think, yeah, she played well. She starts playing really aggressive, and, yeah, I was just trying to finding my rhythm. You know, I tried to come back in the second set and I had my chances, but, yeah, I think she played really well in important moments and closed the match on her way.

Yeah, but on the other way, I think I am pretty happy about my result this week and had good matches before going to New York next week.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What do you think was the major difference today between winning and losing?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: I think she served really well the whole match. I think that was maybe the key that, yeah, that I didn't get too much chances on the returning games.

Q. Did you maybe feel like there was an adjustment to make, that you were playing the first match at 11:00?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: I think I played a lot of matches already here very early this week, so, you know, I think, yeah, I think it was just another early match (smiling).

Q. Congrats on the week. You said that you'll take out some positives from Cincinnati. What specifically do you think, especially coming off of having a few weeks off after Wimbledon, do you take out of your matches this week?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know, I played against tough opponents. You know, I won good matches. I will just take the confidence to New York that I had tough matches out there, and also with tough conditions.

You know, I feel good out there on court. You know, I just try to continue this in New York. But of course now I will take few days of rest, and then, yeah, having good practice days before the US Open in New York then.

Q. Speaking on Ash, obviously she's World No. 1, has her majors and all that sort of stuff, but I'm curious, what makes her a different opponent, if she feels like a different opponent at all to you?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know, I think she has so much confidence right now. She plays so well, and she served good. I think this is also a big weapon from her.

You know, she's just playing really like tricky, as well. She know where to put the ball and how to play in the moments where it's really important.

So I think the whole game of hers is really tough, and, you know, that's why she's there where she is.