A. SABALENKA/M. Linette
6-2, 6-2
ARYNA SABALENKA: I'll start with my thoughts on the match, right? I know the drill (laughing).
The score looks easy. It wasn't an easy match. I can see how tricky she can be as opponent. She's moving well, puts a lot of balls back. You have to build the point and finish it. There's no easy points from her. I'm really glad I was able to win this match in straight sets. Didn't want to play a three-hour match before facing Coco. I'm glad I was able to show such a great level and close this match in two sets.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.
Q. 42 winners from you today. 12 or 13 unforced errors. Getting your rhythm and timing, did that feel like it was the case today?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I think after yesterday match, I was thinking that I have to be focused from the beginning, especially against someone like her. I was just trying to stay focused, stay in the zone, try to focus on my footwork, make sure that I'm adjusting to the ball as good as I can. I'm really glad it worked.
I started really great, on high level from the beginning. I think that was really, really important in this match.
Q. In terms of the adjustments that you do have to make on this court, since it is a little bit slower, the way that you hit the ball from the outside, people think you would just step up and crush the ball all the time. What are the adjustments and what are the challenges for you specifically to maximize your game here?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I mean, first of all, there is no easy points here. Like, mentally you have to be prepared for that, not waiting for easy mistakes. Sometimes you feel like this is the winner, not the ball going to come back. You have to always be focused and ready to finish the point on the net.
I think the main adjustment that I did is that I'm going to the net more often, using my touch. Probably sometimes not like over-rush. Sometimes it doesn't make sense to hit the ball as hard as possible because sometimes on this surface it doesn't make sense. You just have to build the point and wait for the right shot to finish the point.
I mean, I don't know how it looks from the outside. Playing the match, it feels like sometimes I feel like I hit the ball, but there is no power, energy on the ball. Sometimes I'm just trying to stay in the point, not over-rush, wait for the right shot to finish the point.
Q. You're playing well. Coco is playing well. You've played each other quite a lot. What do you need to do tomorrow to win?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, we had a lot of great, big matches, great fights. I'm really looking forward to always enjoying playing against her.
Yeah, I think the main thing is, once again, focus on myself, focus on my footwork, go to the net, finish the point over there. Yeah, on this slow surface, you have to go there. You have to be brave enough and finish the point there. I think that's the main plan.
It worked really well in our last meeting, so I'll just stick to the plan. I'll try to put as much pressure as possible on her.
Q. You have years now of experience at the top of the game. This life at the top of the game, is it what you were imagining it would be when you were starting your career? Is it different? Do you like it?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I don't remember how I imagined it, how I was imagine the life here.
I'm just super happy and thanks-ful to be at this level, to experience everything I'm able to experience. That's really big. I'm really, I don't know, appreciate my family that in the right time they were able to push themself and make sure I have opportunity to reach my goals.
I don't know if it the same or not. I don't remember how I imagined that, to be honest. It definitely worth it. All of those hours of training, all of those tears, disappointments, happiness, all that, it's definitely worth it.
Q. You were talking about being open to improvements. Do you watch a lot of tennis either of yourself or other people on tour for tactics, inspiration?
ARYNA SABALENKA: We talk quite openly with the team. We have a lot of conversations about tennis, about what to improve, about which tactics can work on specific surface for me. We talk a lot.
Watching tennis? I would say when I'm on the tournament, if they show it on the TV, yeah, it's always on. I watch it. Some of the things, like I get inspired by. I see the shot and I think, Okay, I have to try this one and see if I can actually use it on court in a match. If it works for me, if it fits my game...
Yeah, sometimes I get inspired by other players.
I would say that off the tournament time, like, I don't watch tennis because I just trying to, like, recharge and forget about tennis, focus on different things.
When I'm on the tournament, yeah, I would say the Tennis Channel is always on. Let's be honest. I'm not going to play this school game, I'm not watching tennis. Of course, I do (smiling).
Q. In terms of the ranking and the points on the race to the WTA Finals, you already surpassed Iga on the points for this season. Regaining the world No. 1 is one of your goals in the China season. Right now I think you already done it. What are your thoughts on the rankings and position for the rest of the season? Any goals? Maybe your ranking, your competition with Iga and some other players?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I mean, as I always say, I'm not really focusing on the ranking. At the same time, of course everyone wants to be world No. 1. I know that if I'll be focusing on these goals, like yeah. It's on my goal list, of course, like everyone else's have this goal.
I'm trying to focus on myself. I know that if I'll be there every match, if I will be fighting every point, if I will be able to bring my best tennis, if I'll be able to keep improving myself, keep getting better and keep pushing myself to the limits, I know that I can achieve this goal.
My main focus right now is on myself. But yeah, it's good that on the race I'm No. 1. There is still Wuhan Open to go, there is still Finals to go. I just want to bring my best tennis on court, play on my highest level these two last events and hope that I'll finish the year at world No. 1.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports