YUAN YUE/C. Burel
1-6, 6-4, 6-2
THE MODERATOR: Congratulations for this match. Can you share your thoughts on today's match.
YUAN YUE: I wasn't really good in the first set. A lot of errors. I went to the bathroom after the first set thinking about lowering my errors point by point. I was able to improve my form in the second set.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.
Q. It was 2019 when you appeared in Wuhan last time in the qualifying rounds. Did you see yourself improve in the past five years?
YUAN YUE: Yes, indeed, I felt the improvement. Back then when I came into this venue, I wanted to practice with the players in the main draw because back then I never played against people in the top 100. At the time I was posting something on WeChat.
Now coming back here as a player in the main draw, in the past five years I felt like the improvement was done step by step. You couldn't really feel it in the process. But looking back, I'm really happy for the improvement I've made.
Q. Facing your opponent in the next round, Jasmine Paolini, any special preparation?
YUAN YUE: I just want to enjoy the victory today. What's happening in two days, I'm going to do it tomorrow. You're playing these players all the time. I've seen a lot of footage of her matches. I'm pretty familiar with her style.
To me, when I play different players, my style remains similar. It doesn't really change my style. I don't really change how I play or my tactics based on the players.
Q. When you took a break, I saw you were blowing your nose. How is your energy level?
YUAN YUE: I'm pretty okay. I think there has been a temperature drop both in Beijing and Wuhan. I'm feeling symptoms of a cold. It's quite common. We're playing matches every week. More or less we're feeling the impact of the weather. It's under control.
Q. In this China season, you've had changes in your team. Changes are quite challenging for an athlete. It's hard to find an appropriate team member. Can you talk about the process of building up your team. Within your current team, could you introduce your members to us?
YUAN YUE: I think the mindset, the styles and tactics change depending on the coach. I think the coach is only one part of the strategy.
At this level, I think the role of the coach is really limited. It's trying to add something extra to what you have already, to actually improve what you have or correct some of the mistakes. It doesn't really change you or transform you overall. It doesn't really change the overall tactics of how you play.
In the process of looking for a team member, a coach, the most important thing is to be yourself, to be the best of what you can be. I am good at what I already mastered.
For example, coaches might be appropriate for other players. It doesn't mean it's appropriate for you. No matter what kind of coaches you choose, you need to believe in yourself.
If you change or not change, if you have a new member come into your team, you really need to focus on yourself. It's self-centered. Do not put hopes on other people.
Q. In the third set you were really strong. 80% of points won on your first serve. In addition to the support of the crowd, did you change your play in the third set?
YUAN YUE: I think it's been a little bit chaotic in my previous matches lately. It's not I can make a strong advantage or dominate the whole match. I'm not that kind of player. I need to find my way out in these kind of rallies.
I can run. I can play rallies. I need to insist on my style. I shouldn't change myself because of other external opinions and factors. This is really important for me.
Before the second set I needed to put the ball in, to be aggressive, to be persistent. When the other person is hitting winners, do not have doubts in yourself. Just try to get the ball in, to execute your strategy and be persistent in your strategy.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports