US OPEN

September 3, 2021

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

E. SVITOLINA/D. Kasatkina

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Would you give us your thoughts on the match, your level of play after a successful first week.

ELINA SVITOLINA: It was a really good match from me today. I think it was a very solid performance mentally and physically, with my tennis as well. I was very composed.

Yeah, it was a great overall three matches that I had so far. Yeah, it's nice to get some wins here.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Such a quick turnaround from Chicago. How do you feel you're riding the momentum? Did that turnaround have an effect on your first week?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, it was actually very quick mind change after Chicago because I had to play Monday I think. I had the same kind of situation after Strasbourg going into Roland Garros. I think I played Tuesday, I'm not sure.

It was quite similar, I would say. I knew that I had to be really quick with my mind just to go straight into Grand Slam, try to bring the same intensity, same tennis. In the end it happened quite good because I was playing quite good my first round, then second round, and today was even better I would say with my tennis.

Yeah, I'm happy where I am right now.

Q. Going into the second week, can you assess your level of play? Where do you feel the improvements have been through the first week?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think the improvements started in Chicago. Every match I was playing better and better, trying to build on physically, mentally as well. I think I was more stronger, playing good tennis. I was moving better.

Here, you know, I played some tough opponents from the first round. Marino, she was serving great. The second match, as well, it was tricky one. I never got to see any match of the girl, so it was quite tricky. In the end also she was serving unbelievable and I had to be ready for that.

So today it was another big battle against Daria. She's a very tricky player. She can play really, really well with different styles. Yeah, was expecting a tough battle, so that's why I was extremely focused from the beginning until the last point because I know that she can be a tricky one. It was a good match.

Q. I hear a lot of players talk about they don't look at their draw. You are also married to someone here. Do you look at your draw or his draw to see who is coming up?

ELINA SVITOLINA: His draw I'm looking even more probably than mine (laughter).

Mine, I look match by match. For sure I look at the draw so I know little bit, like few rounds.

To be fair, on the day of the match I only focus on this one, on the match that's coming up, not even on the day, few days. I try to focus on what I have to do. Like, for example, tomorrow I will be thinking and practicing for my next round and preparing tactically for my opponent.

Yeah, I just try to take one day at a time and be focused on the next round, yeah.

Q. Does Gael look at his draw?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, he's looking at his draw. Also he looks few rounds as well. But I try to tell him it's not a good sign, you have to be looking one match at a time (laughter).

No, he's very professional. For sure he does everything, all his preparations, for his upcoming match. He tries to stay very focused as well as me.

Q. You were speaking about your draw. When you think of Simona Halep, what comes to mind immediately? What are the biggest differences in your games?

ELINA SVITOLINA: First come to mind is many matches. We played many matches on different surfaces. I had some tough loses against her and some good wins, as well. It's going to be another big battle and great match.

I'm very happy that I got here in my next round. I think I'm well-prepared and playing some good tennis so couldn't be more prepared for now. I just have to recover, to I my time with my coach on some tactics, on some points that I have to pay attention to tactically, yeah, try to execute it as much as I can and as well as I can.

Q. What is it like to be a husband and wife couple playing in the tournament and getting deeper?

ELINA SVITOLINA: It's amazing. Some people might say it can be distraction. For us, it definitely is not a distraction. It's a big motivation for both of us because we both are in the tournament and both very competitive. We try to put everything what is possible, to go both far in tournament, try to do better than the other one (smiling). It definitely is a big motivation for both of us.

I'm happy that we're playing different days because then we can focus on one person then the other one. Definitely I'm very happy that Gael is playing well, as well, and winning.

Q. You're saying you compete with one another?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, if I won today, tomorrow he will be really pumped to do everything what is in his power to win. But for sure it's just a motivation because we are both playing at the top of our sport, so that's definitely something that you want to do well, and to not let down your partner.

Yeah, it's very nice to have someone next to you at the same sport and top level who understands and who supports you and shares the same goals.

Q. What in your opinion, if it is unique, is the unique challenge of winning a hard court slam as opposed to clay or Wimbledon where there's more specialization? Is it any different on hard court, I guess, do you think?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I don't think there is much difference. I mean, Grand Slam is that tournament. Doesn't matter if you win at Wimbledon, if you win Roland Garros or hard court. For sure on hard court you have little bit more chances to win because you have Australia and US Open. We play I think most of the tournaments on hard courts. That's the aspect that you can maybe have a better chance to win on hard court.

But I love to play on clay, as well. I've been growing up playing on this surface. For sure it feels like a home slam for me, Roland Garros. I get a nice support as well.

But to be fair, I love to play here in New York. I've been having some good results and great matches here as well. For me the first time I played a junior Grand Slam here for the first time in my life. When I arrived here, it was very special because I lost, maybe won three games in that tournament, but it really motivated me to come back here and to do well as a pro.

It was the first tournament as well for me to qualified, to play in the main draw. I also got smoked by Ivanovic in the first round. Still these small moments make the tournament very special. Definitely coming back here, it's special feeling.

Q. Daria came in in good form. This is your sixth win out of six matches against her. Is there something about her game or your game that you feel comfortable or it is what it is?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I didn't really focus on head-to-head so much. I knew it was 5-0 before coming into today. I don't know. It's just some matches we had some really big battles, some really tough matches. I wouldn't say her game style somehow suits mine. But she makes me work each match really hard.

Each time it's a new and a different match. Today I played some great tennis. I knew exactly what I had to do. I did it really well. It's very tough to say that she's a comfortable player for me, but just each time I try to bring my best, and today was the day.