QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN

February 18, 2022

Nikoloz Basilashvili

Press Conference

N. BASILASHVILI/A. Rinderknech

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. How do you rate today's performance? Could it have been one of the best matches of your career? What do you think?

NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI: Yeah, I think I played a very good match today. Mentally, physically, everything was there. I was using my serve really good. I was returning really well today. I found really good spots where to return, because I had experience of playing with him last year in Halle. So I know exactly where he's serving.

I was very good. I was playing as well really good from the baseline, keeping my position really well, and generally I think it was a very good performance from me.

Q. It would be very interesting if you speak about what exactly makes courts in Doha very suitable to your game? Because you play wonderful at center court.

NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI: I think lights here, lights are really good. I see ball really well. In general, conditions are suitable. It's really heavy conditions here, and it's really suitable for my game.

Not like completely, completely that I would say that I feel the best here, but I see just ball really good, so it makes it easy to approach to the ball.

Q. It's going to be Karen Khachanov or Bautista Agut in the next round. You played both of them previous year. You won against Khachanov at Indian Wells and also defeated Bautista just there in final in Doha. What do you think about your potential opponents? What are the expectations?

NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI: Yeah, I played both of them last year. I know how they are playing. Khachanov has a big serve. They are both really solid players from the baseline.

I think Bautista, as well, is playing in Doha really good. He already won here, as well.

So it will be -- both matches will be really tough, I think. Both of them are in good shape, and I just have to focus on my game and what I did today, kind of keep it up for the next matches.

Q. You said at the previous press conference that you were not content and satisfied with the way you hit ball, so does that change after your game against Rinderknech?

NIKOLOZ BASILASHVILI: Yeah, today was much better, yes. I worked, I changed couple things. Practiced this morning, and today was much better. I'm looking forward that I can keep going like this tomorrow.