KALILINA-KICHENOK/Kempen-Salden
6-3, 6-3
Team Ukraine - 2
Team Belgium - 1
THE MODERATOR: How are your nerves finally after getting the win?
CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: You know, I was not nervous at all. I was confident in our girls. Yeah, obviously a long day, good fight. I think Team Belgium showed us really good performance today.
Yeah, we are happy to go through. We are really happy that last year it was, like, historic achievement for us. This year it feels kind of normal. It's good that we are here and we are among the top teams.
I'm really proud of my team. I'm really happy that we can bring this joy to Ukrainian spectators.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Anhelina, two victories today. You played five sets. Firstly, how are you feeling? Secondly, can you talk us through how it felt being first out playing for Ukraine today.
ANHELINA KALILINA: First of all, I want to say it's been a long day today with a lot of, lot of tennis. Yeah, I'm really happy for our team, that we made this team effort and we get through this challenge, for sure, because I think today Team Belgium showed really, really great and high-quality tennis.
Just happy to get this battle, happy to get this win. Hopefully just keep going and be healthy and enjoy this moment.
Q. Illya, you mentioned it feels a little bit more normal this year. Do you think being in the semifinals last year, having that experience, will help your team looking forward?
CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: Well, yeah, definitely. I mean, we obviously excited to be in semifinal. At the same time we are eager more obviously. We have a great team, great atmosphere. Whatever happens next, it's great experience to be here with girls. I think we all enjoying this week so far.
Q. I know your opponent for Saturday is still to be determined. Can you talk a little bit about either Italy or China, what it would be like to face either of those teams.
CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: I mean, two strong teams. Obviously China is the host, so they will have a lot of support. It's going to be, like, difficult to manage probably against it.
And Italy, they won two times in a row. We lost them last year. We want revenge, so...
Yeah, I think doesn't matter who going to win, it's not going to be easy. We just going to follow the matches today and see what happens.
To be honest, I don't have preference who to play. Yeah, we just going to wait and see.
Q. My question is for Kalilina. Today you played doubles and singles. What is the difference between the two, especially in terms of the mental side? Also when you're playing doubles, you are playing with your teammates. Do you feel more strength?
ANHELINA KALILINA: Just repeat what was the first question?
Q. The singles and the doubles, what is the difference?
ANHELINA KALILINA: The difference is singles I'm playing against opponent. In doubles we're four people and I have a partner. I have one extra person. It's a great support for me.
My doubles partner, my partner today, she was very experienced doubles player, Grand Slam champion. Giving me a lot of tips and notes. I was just following her instructions and trying to do the best I can. Sometimes it didn't work.
Overall I'm super happy that I was able today to stay focused and to play doubles pretty good I think. So for me it's about also teamwork, team spirit. I really love it.
In singles I'm more just on my own. I have to think and do everything, like, by myself. It's kind of really different.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports