US OPEN

August 31, 2022

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/E. Mandlik

7-5, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Second-round win. Take us through the match. Your thoughts on how you played and with the victory to get into Round 3.

ONS JABEUR: Well, I'm very happy with the win. Definitely I played, I mean, better on the second set. Just happy that I managed the conditions. Was kind of tough to deal with the humidity, but hopefully I will improve even better and play even better in the third rounds.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You said you really want to break that third-round barrier here. How do you look ahead to the one with Shelby?

ONS JABEUR: You know, it's going to be a tough match. Shelby plays really well on hard courts.

She's a player that improved a lot, and, you know, it's going to be a tough match, but the main goal for me is to impose my game, because I know I can bother her with the changing of the rhythm.

But it's going to be tough playing her at the US Open as an American. But looking forward, you know, to give it all. Definitely learn from the other third rounds that I played here.

Q. Did you get to watch the match of Serena on TV for her first round? What was your reaction to it?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I was really impressed. She was playing really good. I felt like she played a great match. She was moving great. Just like, you know, I want her to win as much as she can. Obviously today my heart is -- she plays Anett, such a good friend. Hopefully the better wins today.

Yeah, I feel like she's in good shape, and hopefully she will continue to play even better.

Q. I saw on Instagram that you had met Seal. Wondered what that experience was like and what you chatted about.

ONS JABEUR: His next album (smiling). No. I mean, I saw him first time in Indian Wells. It was last year. Surprised me, because he was following me, and he said, I love you, you're the sneaky player. I love how you play.

Yesterday when I saw him, it was, like, Hi, how are you? It was nice to see you. He was very happy, he hugged me, talked about Wimbledon. We talked a little bit about how I inspire Africa, and he was very satisfied with that and he pushed me to continue more and really motivated me.

Q. You're so consistent in Grand Slams. I just wondered how strong the feeling is to try and get into the second week here?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, I wasn't consistent enough at the French Open, but, you know, trying to. Yeah, I mean, when I came here, my goal was to be in the second week, and my goal was to really improve more and get through the third round.

I'm just taking each match at a time, and hopefully will learn from other US Opens. I have a mission. I'm No. 5 in the world, so for me I'm trying to represent that number as much as I can so I can really improve my game and I can really continue and improve my ranking, hopefully.