US OPEN

August 30, 2023

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Press Conference

A. DAVIDOVICH FOKINA/J. Cerundolo

6-1, 6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Give us your assessment of how your performance was today, how you felt you played today.

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Today was a very long day. I woke up at 8:30 and I just finish (smiling).

Was, like I said, long day. To get a warm-up again and again, like I did it twice because I thought Vesely is going to win in three sets. After they take a little bit longer.

But I was like, Okay, doesn't matter, I wanted to play. I was, like, very, very focus to win today because it's not easy to play a lefty guy. Cerundolo, he won fifth set, after losing two sets to love. I was like when I was 2-0 up today, I hope it's not going to happen today like the other day in Cerundolo against Ivashka.

I was enjoying every minute on court. The court was full. They were supporting me. I was, like, very happy to be there and to try do my best.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're playing Tommy Paul. How big of a difference playing three sets?

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: I play against Tommy Paul?

Q. Yes.

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: I didn't know that. That's why I'm asking.

Well, at the end we had two battles, one in Australia and one in Miami. I think we play twice. He's like a runner. He likes, like, a marathon. He's very good guy outside the court. I'm joking with him inside. On court he's like a beast because he's very good.

At the end he play at home. He's very, very fast. To play today me three sets and him five, I think it's not going to change a lot because at the end we have one day for recover. I think he had already very good season. We had five sets in Australia. At the end he make it through to the semifinals.

It not going to change nothing that he play today five sets and me three sets. I think it's going to be a battle again.