US OPEN

September 6, 2021

Karolina Pliskova

Press Conference

K. PLISKOVA/A. Pavlyuchenkova

7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Could you give your thoughts on tonight's match.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, super happy with the win because the last two matches I lost against her. I think was important to get the win today.

I don't think was super pretty match, not really good feeling from that. But I guess that doesn't matter if I'm in the quarterfinals, so...

Happy about that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It wasn't maybe the prettiest match, but did you feel like in the important moments you were able to raise your game?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Exactly. I think I did that. Of course, serve kind of helped me. Although not that many aces as in last couple matches. I felt I had many free points. In the important moments I was able to serve pretty well.

But it was kind of windy. I think we both started maybe a little bit nervous, and the match was just not pretty at all.

Of course, we both want to play aggressive. I thought there was many mistakes, maybe not pretty good to watch. I didn't feel good at all, I have to say. Somehow I just find a way to maybe play a bit better than she did. Just put pressure on her serve, which I managed to get couple breaks.

I think still it could go a bit easier because I thought I had a couple chances which I could play maybe a bit better. I mean, I played what was enough to win, so...

Q. What does it mean to you to make another US Open quarterfinal?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: It's nice. I think it's two, three years since I was in quarters. I lost to Serena, maybe three years. Of course, it's good to be back in the second week as always on a Grand Slam. It's always the goal in the beginning of the slam.

I mean, last year was not that great, the year before as well, of slams for me. I think it's really good success that now I had Wimbledon finals of course and now I still have another chance to still go pretty far here in this tournament.

I mean, it's pretty open. Of course, there are opponents which are tough. But it's in quarters so you cannot really expect anybody easy.

I think if I still play maybe not like today but like yesterday and the days before, I think I have a good chance to beat all those girls.

Q. Are you surprised at all by how this tournament is rolling along on the women's side? What do you make of how things are shaping up?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Not surprised at all. Never surprised. In life, not only in tennis life, but I think overall in life so many things can happen.

I don't think, like, this is a surprise. Every week actually there is something new or somebody new, some different player. I'm not surprised at all.

I mean, of course there are maybe some upsets which you would not say. But it's tennis. I think some of the young girls, they are playing really good tennis. I didn't see much.

But I think the level is quite high no matter who is in the draw. Let's see. I think, of course, I know my next possible opponent, it's going to be super difficult, former champion. The other one is really good player, so... No matter who wins, it's going to be difficult.

But it's quarters. I'm already happy about that.

Q. What is the vibe right now? It seems like you were having a good time out there, smiles and laughs with you and the box. Lots of signing autographs after the match. How are you feeling?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Actually I feeling good. Still of course Sascha is not here, which is frustrating a bit. But still I have good people around me. I think I'm feeling great off the court, on the court as well.

Of course, not always you're playing the best tennis. I somehow managed to, you know, like put maybe the tennis away, just try to enjoy a bit.

Of course, everything is happening because I've been playing so much tennis and I've been having so many wins lately in the last couple weeks. I think that kind of helps to relax more and just to enjoy a little bit more.

Of course, the motivation is much higher. I think everything is kind of connected. I can just somehow play more free, there is not so much pressure on me that I have to win because I played well the last couple weeks.

Yeah, I think this also kind of helped to of course play better tennis if you are more relaxed and smile here and there. I mean, also it's nice to have the fans back. It was not happening last year here of course for couple months. I like to give autographs, if I can.

Q. The WTA ranking system, how much did the staggered ranking give any pressure? Are you relieved that things are getting back to normal the next couple weeks?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: To be honest, I have no idea about this at all. And I don't really follow because ranking so far is not number one priority for me. Of course, I mean, it's nice to be in top 10, it's nice to be top 4, top 1. Since I was there, I don't really follow. I don't really know the rules. I know it maybe sounds bad, but I don't know.

It doesn't change anything. I just want to play well at tournaments. It doesn't matter how many points I get or how many points I drop. I don't really count this.

Q. Bianca or Maria next. What do you remember about your last match against Bianca and what do you think is going to be the challenge of facing her, then with Sakkari as well?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: I mean, I don't have like huge record against them. Sakkari of course 1-All, both happening in Rome. At least we going to have maybe a different meeting on different surface and tournament.

Of course, she's a tough player. We've actually practiced once here before the tournament started. I mean, she's a fighter. She actually I think really improved her game. She's playing more aggressive than she used to play. She's quite dangerous, beat good players this week. Also in Paris she played well. I think she's having great year. I think she's confident. It's going to be difficult. I think I can be the one more aggressive in this match.

Of course, with Bianca, I think she has all-court game, using everything like high balls, slice. It's a bit like ugly game, maybe similar to Barty. But she's a great player. Of course, we all know once she's playing, she's really doing well at tournaments. Let's see about tonight.

I mean, we just played one match which I don't think was great match, as well. We played three sets. I mean, we played once more actually, but she retired, I think in Singapore or Shenzhen somewhere. At least I have some feeling about her since we played a bit.

I believe if my game is there and my serve is there, I think for sure there is a chance.