SYDNEY TENNIS CLASSIC

January 14, 2022

Paula Badosa

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/D. Kasatkina

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congratulations. Nice, comfortable result. Well, it looked like a comfortable result this evening over here. What are your thoughts on the match?

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, I think I played very good, very aggressive. I knew it was a very tacting match and physical, but I knew that I had to be aggressive because she's a very solid player and I did the game plan very good.

Q. How important do you think this is going to be right now that it is right before the Australian Open as you look ahead to the year's first major?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, gives you confidence. I have been playing tough matches, so I had a little bit of everything this week. That's good when a Grand Slam is ahead, because you're always going to have tough matches there and a lot of nerves.

So, yeah, it's very good to play matches. Of course you're a little bit more tired but it's worth it.

Q. What are your thoughts now on the final and playing Barbora Krejcikova?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, I expect a very tough match. She's an amazing player, very talented. Well, she's showing how good she is, first tournament a final.

Well, it's going to be a tough one but I'm ready for it, as I always say.

Q. Do you think past records will have any sort of impact when you're the one who has the advantage on her, you have beaten her both times you have played her?

PAULA BADOSA: I don't know. I think with these kind of players that they are very, very good players, Grand Slam champions. It doesn't really matter the records. Of course it's a little bit important, but they are very good players, so they always find a solution when they have a problem like she did today. So I don't know if the record will mean a lot tomorrow.

Q. Congratulations for your win and reaching finals. You had a great match today, winning 6-2, 6-2. Now, are you going to devise any specific or new strategy or plan when playing in finals?

PAULA BADOSA: I think I played good today. I shouldn't change anything, no (smiling)?

I would say play like today and to enjoy another final for me. I didn't play that many finals in my career, so it's very nice to start the year with a final.

I'm playing a very tough match, a very talented player, so it's going to be tough. I will have to bring the best tomorrow. But I think I played good today and with confidence, and I'm feeling well.