ZHENG QINWEN/Wang Xinyu
6-3, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Advancing to the finals. Share your thoughts on today's match.
ZHENG QINWEN: First of all, very happy into the first final in the Wuhan Open, a 1000 level. Happy to have this victory.
My opponent played very well. It was a tough battle.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.
Q. How surprised are you to make the final, considering how quickly the turnaround was from Beijing and how you were feeling physically and mentally before this tournament?
ZHENG QINWEN: Honestly, before this tournament I have some expectations. Also I'm really excited to play in Wuhan because it's my home.
Right now physically I had a little bit low fever. Was funny 'cause also in China Open, the first round I had low fever, too. That was little bit shame.
Actually mentally I was quite good, it's just physical I'm not 100%. You know, that's happen. Whatever, I will give my best tomorrow is what I can do.
Q. You've dealt with a lot of pressure in your career in different situations. How do you compare the feeling of being at an Olympic Games representing Chinese people versus playing here, seeing how much your wins mean to people?
ZHENG QINWEN: It's totally different pressure. I would say Olympic Games is much more than that 'cause I start to have pressure two days before Olympic Games starts. Every day was so intense.
I remember in the quarterfinal, semifinal, my hands were shaking during the match. I mean, after Olympic Games, I never had those feelings anymore. My hand is not shaking during the match at least. It's funny.
I still have some pressure here, but I will consider much less pressure. It's more under control (smiling).
Q. A tough matchup for you against Sabalenka in the past. Do you think on Sunday it's just about executing better than you have executed in the past or do you need to play tactically different?
ZHENG QINWEN: Well, first of all, I think I should put my mental in the relax mood 'cause last time when I play against her, the both two times, I was little bit like thinking too much and I'm not able to performance my tennis. So I wish tomorrow first of all I can performance well my tennis and after think about the tactic.
If you don't show your tennis, it's tough to talk about the tactic. I just wish tomorrow I could done better than last time 'cause right now my attitude change. From the lesson of last time, I know I need to keep myself in a balance.
Sabalenka, she's a really aggressive player, but I'm aggressive, too. So we will see tomorrow.
THE MODERATOR: Chinese questions.
Q. We have a teenager competition. A large percentage of them choose you as their role model. What are your comments on this? Any messages to Chinese teenagers in Wuhan?
ZHENG QINWEN: I was a teenager not too long before. I cannot believe I'm no longer a teenager.
Any messages to them? I've been through many puzzling moments, many doubts as a teenager. I was not at this level of confidence as a teenager. I hope that you can find your direction and be committed to your decisions and enjoy every day of your life. This is something I repeat to myself every day.
Q. We saw your Vogue fashion shoots. Did you like these pictures?
ZHENG QINWEN: Was that only the cover picture or everything? I like all of them, honestly. Very, very special pictures. Completely different from previous photo shoots.
I did not check those pictures. If I can see them now, I will like them more. I like the cover picture the most. I have really sharp eyes in the cover picture.
Q. You are another Chinese finalist at a 1000 level after Li Na. What are your comments on that and your preparation for tomorrow?
ZHENG QINWEN: Now at the age of 22, being a finalist at the 1000 level, especially in Wuhan, this is a really big surprise. With this achievement, I'm really happy.
For the final tomorrow, I have a tough opponent. Everyone knows she's really tough. I lost to her the previous two encounters.
If I can play my tennis tomorrow, I think there is a 50% chance. It really depends on my mentality. She beat me two times. Of course, she's at a stronger level of confidence. What I need to do is to adjust my mentality, to find a way through it on court. I really look forward to the final tomorrow.
Thank you very much.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports