US OPEN

September 3, 2021

Angelique Kerber

Press Conference

A. KERBER/S. Stephens

5-7, 6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Your thoughts on the win, first week at the Open.

ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, it was really a tough match. I mean, playing against Sloane it's always a tough battle. I lost the last few matches against her, so I was ready to have really, yeah, tough fight.

After the first set where she played really well, especially in important moments, I was just trying to staying in the match, being ready for every single ball.

The third set I think at the end two, three points decide the match. I was just focusing for every single ball and taking my chances, being ready, being aggressive.

Yeah, I'm happy that I'm through and to being in the second week now.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. In the third set, the two games in the middle that turned things around, saving three breakpoints, Love-40 on Sloane's next game, talk about how key that was.

ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, I think that was the key of the third set. But like I said, that's just one, two points which decide the third set. I was up, then I was down. I was just focusing on every single ball. I mean, I was not really thinking about the score in this moment. I was just trying to taking my chances, but also moving good, bringing a lot of balls back.

On the other side, I was going for my winners, for my shots. Yeah, I think it was really at the end really mentally, being really focused, being in the zone, being in the moment. I think, yeah, that was the key for me that I won the match in the third set.

Q. (Question about losing to Sloane going into the next match.)

ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know that before you go on court actually that you lost the last few matches against her. But on the court, for me, Sloane is always a tricky opponent. I mean, she's playing high, she's going forward, she has a good serve. During the match I'm really not thinking too much about the head-to-head that we have.

But before you walk on court, you know of course that the last few matches you lost. For me it was really important to have the mentality that I really want to win the match and going there to fight for every ball.

Yeah, like I said, I think that was for me the key to turn around the match, especially after the first set.

Q. Next you face possibly Naomi Osaka. You have some history with her as well. How would you describe the matches that you've had going back to when you first played here?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: I think it will be completely new match. I think we both get through a lot of ups and downs and a lot of experience right now. I think we both are completely different players now.

I think it's a new match. We start from zero the match. I know that I have to play my best tennis. I mean, she is always playing well here. For me it's more the focus on my side of the court. I really try to focusing on me, my game, how I played the last few weeks, how I played today.

But I know what to expect. We played so many times already. It's more I think that I have to be aggressive and playing my game like I played today.

Q. The contrast in styles is quite interesting. How would you describe that?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, I'm more the defensive player. She's going to hit the balls, having great serve. For me it's more that I have to, yeah, being aggressive as well when I get the chance. I have to play my best tennis.

I know that because to go out there and just pushing the balls, I think this is not the way to win against her. But it's more, like I said, to focusing on me, my game, yeah, being also aggressive and not only running.

Q. To play Sloane in the third round of a major is a tough draw. Now you could play another Grand Slam champion. Does that help you in terms of knowing how well you have to play this early in an event? Do you feel these sorts of draws in the women's is elevating the play of all you guys?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: I think now it's also a transition from the new generation. It doesn't matter which round you play, you have to be ready for every single round.

Of course, to playing Sloane in the third round, now fourth round Naomi, I think it's just you have to be ready. It doesn't matter which round it is. It could be also the semis or the quarter. It doesn't matter. It's more like that you are on the Grand Slam, you know that, it's the last Grand Slam of the year. I really want to play here as good as I can, this is my goal. Doesn't matter how the draw is, I know my draws are always tough, especially also last week in Cincinnati. I knew it's never easy.

On the other side I'm looking for every single match, match to match, step by step. Let's see how far I can get here. Yeah, it's never easy to play of course in a Grand Slam. I mean, the best players are here.

Q. I saw your Instagram post where you were sleeping in the gym. How did your Wednesday go?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, I mean, we get canceled really late. I thought that we can go straight to the hotel. But it was impossible because of the storm and the rain and everything.

We stayed here until 3:30, 4:00. I was, like, trying to get a little bit of sleep because I had the match yesterday, just like few hours later. Yeah, that was my Wednesday night in the gym (laughter).