C. GAUFF/Zheng Qinwen
7-6, 4-6, 7-6
THE MODERATOR: We'll go right to questions.
Q. The longest match of your career. How deep did you have to dig to get that out?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I was just trying to go for every point. Yeah, I knew before it was going to be a physical match. Last time we played was over three hours.
Yeah, overall I'm just happy. Wasn't my best level at all, to be honest. Just happy to get through it and through to another final.
Q. How do you evaluate this match? How do you value Zheng Qinwen's performance?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, she's obviously tough to play. Very talented. Especially on this surface. She won the gold medal. Always does well.
Yeah, she's a tough opponent. I'm sure we're going to have many more battles in the future. Very happy to be able to pull this one out.
Q. On Saturday you're going to play against Paolini. You played in Stuttgart. How was that match and what do you expect?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, that was a tough match. She played well. She's a tough opponent. I think especially here with the home crowd behind her, she's going to be playing some great tennis. I have to expect that. Hopefully I can bring a better level and hopefully win the title.
If not, I'm proud just really of this match, too.
Q. Your forehand slice, what is the origin of that shot? You did it a lot when you were younger, but now you just play it in key moments.
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, it's not something I plan. Sometimes, like, either I'm in an awkward position or the ball takes a weird bounce and I just have no choice but to slice. I don't mean to hit it that good. One I hit, I myself was shocked at it. I don't do it on purpose (smiling).
Yeah, I just wish I could hit my backhand slice as well as that.
Yeah, it's just from adaptability. I don't necessarily work on it that often. But you never know, these shots come. I think it's part of the game. Yeah, I got a little lucky on them today.
Q. Was there a particular moment of the match when you felt the court very slow?
COCO GAUFF: Honestly, the whole match for me the court was so slow. Especially when the ball after like two games, they're so heavy. This was my second night match. My first one was first round. I was playing someone completely different game style. Yeah, it was tough.
I think we're both struggling trying to hit through each other. I think in Riyadh we had a little bit more winners, aggressiveness. Today we were trying, but the ball wasn't going anywhere.
Yeah, the final I think is a little bit in the day, so hopefully it's a little bit faster.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports