A. BUBLIK/C. Moutet
6-3, 7-5
THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.
Q. What was the problem for you in the game with Alexander Bublik tonight?
CORENTIN MOUTET: Well, first of all, his serve, and it's also difficult to find the right pace in the rallies. I knew he served well, and I guess I didn't return sufficiently well to be a problem for him.
Q. What you said yesterday he probably heard. He said a word for you at the end. Did you hear that?
CORENTIN MOUTET: No.
Q. He said that as you lived in Paris, it wouldn't be far for you to go home.
CORENTIN MOUTET: Well, I now live in Dubai.
Q. Did you feel the tension with him in the beginning?
CORENTIN MOUTET: No. Today I tried to focus on myself. I don't think it was personal. He likes to make fun of players. I don't know what you expect from me. Some people talk; some people don't. I guess he's part of the first category. He loves to verbally clash with people.
I don't like that kind of thing. When things go beyond words, I know how people behave and I know what kind of character he is apart from the character that is shown in the media. So it's no use talking behind the mic. He's good enough to do that by himself. I'll let him do it.
Q. Just like you, he has an atypical game, and he can have very spectacular points. Is it difficult for you who are so creative?
CORENTIN MOUTET: I don't think he's the same type of player. He's taller than me and he serves faster. We're not in the same category of players. Obviously when your service is 220 kilometers an hour, obviously you can try new things.
He's a very good tennis player, especially on indoor hard courts. So he didn't win today with his funny points. He won because he was good.
Q. The audience was behind you. Do you have some regrets not to have been able to give them more fire? We felt that they were responding to you, and we felt you wanted to play with the public tonight.
CORENTIN MOUTET: Yes, it was a great pleasure during this tournament. I wanted to go further obviously. I had an opportunity, and I'm really disappointed in the way I managed the set point.
But also at the end I wasn't doing well on my service, and I made a few wrong tactical choices, and now it's a bit of a disappointment. But when you miss some occasions like that, there is no forgiving for bad tactical choices.
I'm disappointed for me, for my team, for the public who were behind me all the way. They supported me in the most difficult times, and I thank them and I will try to give them more next time.
Q. We know that at the end of the season, there are a few positions to be taken in the Davis Cup. I guess it's not your decision, but did you have this in mind today when you entered the court?
CORENTIN MOUTET: I tried to focus on what's under my control, what I have control over. Obviously I repeat myself at every interview. If I'm selected, I will go very happily to defend the colors of France, as I did last time. That's it. I don't know what else I can tell you.
For the moment, I'm not part of the team. Other very good players do deserve their place. If I'm there, whether I play or not, I will do my utmost to support the team. And if I'm in front of my TV, I will support them, as well.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports