AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2022

Maria Sakkari

Press Conference

M. SAKKARI/V. Kudermetova

6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Talk us through your thoughts on the match today and also the conditions out there as well.

MARIA SAKKARI: I think it was a very solid match from my side. The conditions suit me. I took advantage of it.

I was down a break in the first set, but then I just managed to think the right way and do the right things, turn the match around.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What are your thoughts on your opponent in the next round, Jessica Pegula?

MARIA SAKKARI: I've played her twice. Last time I played her was in Miami. We had an epic battle. I won 7-6 in the third saving, like, six match points.

I'm expecting a very tough match. I'm very excited because it's going to be on a Sunday, hopefully with more people and nice atmosphere.

Q. What are your thoughts on the testing requirements for the players? Do you feel comfortable with players having to report and say I'm okay or I've tested positive?

MARIA SAKKARI: Sure, I think we are at the point where it's not the beginning of the pandemic, it's been almost two years. These tests are very accurate. Players are responsible. We're at the stage that we have to get our responsibility.

I'm actually very, very supportive of the way they're doing it here in Australia, in Melbourne. Tennis Australia is doing a great job. Actually I'm very, you know, as I said, supportive.

Q. Taking care of business throughout this week, how good has that felt given some uncertainties at the start of the season? You have to be pleased.

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, I mean, it has been a great start, not dropping a set, not getting too tired in my first matches, just finishing the matches in time.

It feels great because I feel fresh and I feel ready for the second week. I know that from now on matches are going to get tougher. Not that they were easy, I don't want to sound like that.

I mean, I think I managed well my emotions. Haven't been playing maybe my best tennis but I know it's going to come. Mentally I have been in a very good place which I think is the most important thing.

Q. Before players make their big slam breakthroughs or get past the quarterfinal stage, they can feel like a big deal in the first week. Do you feel this year there's a little bit less of that because of what you were able to accomplish last year, it's not as high stress?

MARIA SAKKARI: I think the first round stress will always be there no matter if you have won 20 slams or one slam or zero slams. We're all getting stressed.

But at the same time I'm more experienced on how to handle it. Yeah, my first match was very, like, tricky and I was not pleased with the way I played. Emotionally I was actually very good the way I managed my pre-match, post-match these three rounds has been different to the last years, for sure.

Q. Jessie had her breakthrough here, played a great season throughout. Can you talk about what makes her a dangerous player.

MARIA SAKKARI: I think her groundstrokes are very flat and fast. She has a great rhythm. Mentally she's very good. Like she keeps calm. You'll never see her, like, breaking racquets or doing these things. I think mentally she's very good. She's mature, which makes it a lot easier. She has a great game overall.

But she's a very nice girl so I'm very looking forward to the match.