CHINA OPEN

September 30, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/J. Lehecka

6-2, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: The first set was 6-2, the second was a tiebreak. Can you give us some thoughts on your performance today.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, felt like I was starting very well the match, starting with a good confidence. After I had some chances quite early in the second set, I didn't use them throughout the whole set. He is a very tough player to play against. When he's serving very well, he's hitting very strong the ball.

I just tried to stay there mentally. Was down 4-6 in the breaker. Happy to win in two sets. Also happy to be back in the semis here.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Today in the second set your opponent continually beat you on net approaches, winning seven of eight. How do you think about things like that during the match? How do you plan to prepare for that strategy going forward?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, for sure he's a very, very aggressive player. When he goes through the ball, it's a very tough ball to control, first of all. For sure I could have done a bit better, especially in the 6-5 game in the second set. I had a couple of quite easy forehands when he was in the net. I didn't use the chances. When you don't use these kind of chances, you risk to lose the set.

I don't think about this during the match, but it's for sure something where I will work on.

Q. We spoke to Carlos yesterday. I don't know if you saw his comments. He had some very nice things to say. He said mainly he couldn't believe how you've managed to stay so focused and playing so well in the last few weeks, bearing in mind kind of the extra attention that's been on you. How have you been able to keep your focus and keep playing so well, despite all the other stuff going on in the background?

JANNIK SINNER: First of all, it's not a situation where I like to be in, no? It's a very delicate and difficult and also different situation.

But what I know is that I always try to remind myself that I haven't done anything wrong, which already just gives you a little bit head up. For sure I had sleepless nights during this time. Now again it's going to be not easy.

It's reminding you that this could happen potentially. Obviously disappointed that I am again in this situation. I just try to stay somehow focused on my work and trying to do everything possible I can to be ready for each match I play.

But yeah, this is a very difficult moment for me and also for my team. So it's not only me who is (indiscernible), but it's also the team. I also keep the people close who I feel very good with, people who know me as a person. They know me, so yeah...

But it's not easy, that's for sure.

Q. I don't know if you've had the chance to look at the Diamond Court at all, but you are set to play either Bu or Rublev. Do you have any thoughts on playing either one of them, what you're looking forward to either way?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, Bu I don't know at all as a player. I try to somehow understand a little bit before, which then I have to feel on court. We have to see. But he's playing some amazing tennis, maybe the best tennis he's playing. Also in the previous tournaments he played very well, making semis on the ATP before, qualifying in US Open also, losing against Casper.

He's a very tough player to play against. He will have the crowd for him.

If it's Andrey, it's a bit different. We know each other a little bit better. We faced each other in Montreal and also Cincinnati. It's going to be a very tactical match, but completely different from one and the other.