QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 24, 2022

Jelena Ostapenko

Press Conference

J. OSTAPENKO/G. Muguruza

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Well done today. A very dominant performance. Just talk us through your thoughts on the match.

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Thank you. Yeah, I think I played really well today. I'm really happy with the level of my game, being quite confident today. Yeah, just happy to be through.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Another great week so far. Just talking about today's match, do you think that that was the best level you have played in the last two weeks? Even though you have had all these wins, 39 winners in a match like that, you looked pretty sharp.

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Yeah, I mean, I knew it was going to be a tough match against her, but I really knew I also have to be aggressive and take time away from her, which I think I did pretty well and I was dictating the game today.

Yeah, I think from the beginning I started to hit winners, and I was stepping into the court. It was working pretty well.

Q. This was the first time you had played Muguruza in a long time, like 2017 at the Finals I think was the last time. I'm curious, do you think that helped you, you know, that there had been so much time to kind of not remember those other matches, and you came in today and just played your way? Or, you know, was it helpful to still remember those old matches you played against her?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, I didn't really think about it. I think it didn't really matter if like it was long time ago or not. We practiced couple times like before, so I kind of knew and I remember how I played against her.

I saw a lot of her matches, so I know how she's gonna play and how she normally plays. I was ready for it, and I was more just focusing on myself and on the things that I have to do on the court.

Q. You said before about your confidence and going into this match confident. You have won nine straight matches now. The first time in your career you have won nine straight on the WTA Tour. Is this the best that you have played, this stretch of time, do you think this is the best you have ever played your tennis?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think it's very similar to what it was in 2017, but that was five years ago, and I'm really happy that I can play well again and play my game and really feel good on the court.

Of course it's great to have so many matches winning, but the tournament is still not over. I hope I can keep winning here still in Doha. I'm just working on some things and getting more confident, and I think it's going to help my game.

Q. You said that before Dubai, when you got there, because you came from St. Petersburg, that you didn't know how that week would go because you had a lot of matches before. So when you got to Doha, was it a similar feeling in Doha when you got there, like, Well, let's see how we go? Or did you come thinking, No, I can win the title with the way that I'm playing?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, it was a bit different like because I won the tournament, so I had a lot of confidence coming into this tournament. But still, I mean, the draw I had again was not the easiest. I beat some really good players, like already two Grand Slam champions and two good players in the first two rounds.

So I think it's even better when I play good players during the tournament, because then I'm like more focused. Because if you play against someone you should win, you're like not relaxed, but you kind of have it in your mind. But if you play against someone who is really good, you know that it's going to be a tough battle and you're ready for it.

I didn't think about winning tournament, but I knew it's gonna be like not easier but like I will play better, because obviously to win a title, it always gives you more confidence.

Q. You'll play Anett, the last person that beat you, in the next round. She's on a winning streak as well. You're both really the hottest players right now on the tour. What do you think is going to be the challenge for you to get the win this time that you weren't able to get in St. Petersburg?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, obviously the match in St. Petersburg I didn't play really my best tennis. I felt like my level was not as good as it is now, but I still was leading 3-Love in the third set and then I was like rushing things and getting a little bit too emotional.

Of course the conditions were completely different. It was indoors, which I think is better for her, and it's gonna be a different match tomorrow, different conditions. It can be also windy here.

As I said, I'm in a much better form now, so I think if I play my game, I have all the chances.

Q. What does it mean to you to make a semifinal of a 1000? Obviously you did it last fall at Indian Wells also, but back-to-back 1000s now that you have made a semifinal. This is a level of kind of consistency that you're showing. You must be very pleased with that.

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, it's a really nice tournament here. I really like to play here and have good memories from like playing singles final, also winning doubles. So it's always a nice week for me here.

I mean, I was always working on my consistency and playing consistent. Not every week, but at least most of the weeks during the year. Of course my goal is to be back in top 10 and to stay there.

I'm just working for it, and I think with the level of game I'm showing now, it's not so far away (smiling).