A. SABALENKA/Zheng Qinwen
6-3, 6-5-7, 6-3
THE MODERATOR: Can you talk us your match today.
ZHENG QINWEN: I thought the match today was better than last time. I see there are places I need to improve. The level of play I showed today, when I'm not feeling well, I would say I can give it a 5 or 6 out of 10.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.
Q. What did you make of the atmosphere out there?
ZHENG QINWEN: Sorry, can you repeat your question?
Q. I'm curious of what you made of the atmosphere today. It was a full crowd and they were all cheering for you.
ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, obviously the crowd are cheering a lot for me. Sometimes they will start to yelling when I miss the first serve because maybe they thought the first serve was in.
In general, I really enjoy to play in front of my home people. I enjoyed every single match in here even the result is not what I wanted. But that's happen in tennis. I'm just happy to be in the final and to reach as far as I can this tournament.
Q. The more you play against Aryna, the more you feel you're getting comfortable against her, or do you feel it's still the same problem as in Australia? Have you improved so much that now you can see the way?
ZHENG QINWEN: I can say that I see the things more clear compared to Australia. Obviously I performance better. In general I feel that my level are getting better compared to Australia. Still there are lot of things I have to improve.
I see some details today I wasn't doing good. When I arrive in the third set, my first-serve percentage wasn't there. I know I struggle a lot in there. She make me see on the things I have to improve, which is make me really excited. I then can go back and work harder and fight back for next time.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.
Q. Your ranking qualifies you to the Finals. In Ningbo you are the second seed. Will you go to Ningbo or rest a little bit after this tournament?
ZHENG QINWEN: I have to talk to my team. Up till now, I am not physically 100%. Within two weeks I have had a fever two times, so I'm feeling a little bit weak in my health. I will need to be really cautious talking to my team.
Competing in Ningbo is important, but my health is also important. I need to find the balance between the two.
Q. You had fevers in the past two weeks. You also talked about that during the China Open. How do you feel physically? Are you feeling any better after this match?
ZHENG QINWEN: I took some pills to reduce my fever before this match. I was feeling worse yesterday. Now I'm feeling better compared to yesterday.
Within two weeks I have had fever two times. It's really uncommon. That was also the case in Cincinnati. I had a fever. I hope that I can be healthy, I can be competing in a normal condition. This is something very challenging for me.
Q. In the stadium there was 15,000 people witnessing this match. Even more than previous concerts. How do you feel? What messages do you have for the fans?
ZHENG QINWEN: I'm really happy I have received this support. So many people watching this match. It is a great progress for women's tennis. I really hope that I could have done better. I think I put in 100% that my health allowed.
I would like to thank the crowd on-site as well as the people watching on TV. I understand the result wasn't as satisfactory as I expected. Let's look forward to the next encounter, match.
Thank you for your support. I really feel your support and love. I look forward to a better performance next time.
Q. Despite the result, you have made breakthroughs, a better performance against Sabalenka. Did you find the key to beating her in the future?
ZHENG QINWEN: I think watching the match, it became more clear today. I feel that I could only give myself 5 or 6 points. At critical points in this match, I need to increase my speed. I was a little bit conservative. The shaking of my racquet when I became conservative made more unforced errors.
She forced me to see some of the weaknesses in my tactics. I really look forward to training. I look forward to the next match against her.
After this loss, I'm feeling excited because I am doing better each time. There's more room for improvement. I hope that I can close the gap and also can overcome this challenge.
Q. Do you have a goal when you come to the Wuhan Open next year?
ZHENG QINWEN: This is too far ahead. I'm not thinking too far. There's so many things happening within a year. There's so many surprises, unexpected factors.
I will focus on every day because if you look too far ahead, that will cause anxiety to you. That is not very healthy for me.
I look forward to coming back to the Wuhan Open next year in very healthy form.
Q. After this match, what do you really want to do most?
ZHENG QINWEN: I didn't think about that.
If I won this match, there's so many things I want to do. After this loss, I need some time to slow down, to ease my mind, to think about it. If I really want to do something, I'll wait for another 24 hours after a full night's sleep to think about what I really want to do.
There is competition for the Finals. I might need to really put my mind in recovery of my body.
Q. You talked about the Finals. You talk about surprises. Will that surprise take place in the Finals?
ZHENG QINWEN: It's hard to say when the surprises will come because tennis is very unpredictable. I think the fans should relax. Do not put your hopes too high. We shall see each match from a normal perspective. That would actually be better for me.
It's hard to say what my performance will be at the Finals, but I will put in 100%.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports