A. SABALENKA/K. Siniakova
6-4, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Please share your comments on today's match.
ARYNA SABALENKA: I'm happy with the win, of course. Happy to be back in Wuhan. Especially like Siniakova, who is fighting for every point, it's really good that I was able to finish this match in two sets. Just happy to get through this round.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How did that feel out there today on court? I know from 2019, this was a very fast hard court. I think players are now saying it's a little bit slower. What did you make of the conditions today?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I would say that after Beijing, probably all of the courts going to be faster (smiling).
But I would say that the practice courts are much faster than the center court. I was able to hit one time on the center court. After Beijing, it felt like the court is faster. I felt like, Okay, it's a bit better here for me.
Then I was practicing on the practice courts, and it was so fast. I came out there today and I was like, Oh, my God, it's so slow. It's this feeling like I had a flashback to Beijing courts. I was like, Oh, my God, it's going to be a while.
Yeah, I hope I'll be able to adjust to the conditions and show my best tennis.
Q. From outside we are missing Iga here because of the race to the No. 1. That would have been exciting. I am wondering if you miss not having the direct competition with Iga for these past tournaments or not at all?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I love having this competition and I love seeing her in the draw. Yeah, I love to, like, get to the finals and face her in the finals. It's always great battles. I always enjoy fights against her.
But, I mean, I hope she'll figure out the coach situation and she'll be back in the Finals in her best shape. Hopefully we can play against each other there in the Finals, yeah, put it into a fight for world No. 1. That's ideally.
I'm trying to focus on myself and make sure that I play my best tennis and make sure I still have this opportunity to become world No. 1 at the end of the year.
Q. You've talked about rankings not being a big motivation for you. What would year-end No. 1 mean to you? Is that a different goal than being No. 1 at any point in the rankings?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, it's good to be in the top of the draw. You don't have to scroll all the way down to see your opponent. You just open and you're there (smiling). No, I'm kidding.
I think it's been my goal since I was little. This is something that shows that I'm on the right way, I'm working on the right things. Especially having this rivalry with Iga is something big for tennis and something much needed, I would say, in woman tennis. To kind of keep this competition going would be really good for tennis.
Of course, it's one of the biggest goals for me. Yeah, I really want to achieve this goal. That's a big motivation, you know?
Q. Chinese fans are known to be super passionate and creative with their gifts. You're definitely a fan favorite here. Do you have any favorite interaction or gift you've received from fans the last couple weeks?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I love China because of their little cute gifts. It always bring, like, good vibes. I love those gifts. I received a lot of stuff.
My favorite so far is the tiger head. It's so funny and so cool. I kept it. It's in my bag. Also I have like my big fan since I don't know how many years, probably since my first visit to China, and she brought me huge bucket with a lot of little gifts. There was gifts for my team. She signed every gift. This is for Jason. Thank you so much for being the best team in the world.
It was so cute and nice. I love this kind of stuff. Yeah, that's very nice.
Q. In your interviews you said you missed a few years ago in Wuhan. Could you specify your feelings about Wuhan, the environment of the matches or the facilities or any other factors you miss?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I missed Wuhan a lot. I just have really good memories of winning two times title here. Just Wuhan brings me a lot of great memories, good vibes. I love the hotel. I love the facility. A lot of courts.
I mean, from what I remember, courts suit me well. This year I feel like the courts are much slower. I hope I can win this beautiful title one more time. I'll do my best to adjust to the surface as good as I can and hope for the best.
Q. Would you look forward to playing Zheng Qinwen in Wuhan?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, would be really cool to face her. We only going to face in the finals. I think she's in other part of the draw.
I really hope I'll be able to get to the finals and put it into a fight.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports