Germany - 2
China - 1
THE MODERATOR: Your assessments of the matches and the tie overall today?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: From my side, I mean, I started off obviously quiet poorly against Triple Z. I found my rhythm in the match then. I thought especially the third set was quite good level already. In the mixed actually we felt very comfortable. We felt good with each other.
I mean, I made it difficult for us I feel like in the second set a little bit. I didn't return that well. But all in all, I think two very good matches. I think we're happy to be if the quarterfinals playing Kazakhstan.
LAURA SIEGEMUND: Yeah, I thought was a really great and very important point from Sascha in singles, after not such a great start. I felt a bit tired today. I feel like physically I don't have the same level as yesterday, which is a bit normal I guess.
I still feel like after the first set passed me a little bit, I played a good match. She played, I have to give her credit, very good in the third. A couple points. Was closer than maybe the score seemed.
Then I thought the mixed was very good. We haven't played together in a while obviously. I think the level was very good for a first mixed together. Yes, maybe some returns here and there where you expect, like, even more so from Sascha.
I think it was very solid. I held my serve in tight moments when I had to. Maybe a little bit lucky at one point. That's what you need in mixed.
I'm really proud we got that win today.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Alex, what changed in the second set? Hit another gear?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I mean, I didn't feel comfortable from the baseline in the first set at all. I was trying to extend the rallies a little bit more just to find my rhythm as well. Obviously he played quite good. He played very, very aggressive. He didn't give me many chances to kind of find my rhythm.
I found my rhythm, especially on the backhand side in the second set. From then onwards I started serving better, I started returning better. Just all around the game was better.
Q. In terms of some of your returns, looked like you were standing further back.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: On the return, as I said, I wanted to extend the rallies. The first set went quick, only 28 minutes, something like that. Everything went too fast. Too many errors. Maybe too many winners from him as well. I didn't really have a feel for the game. I tried to get that in the second set.
Q. How is the elbow feeling?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: It's quite sore. I'm working on it every day. It's just what it is. I think the balls are not helping. They're dead. We've been having this discussion for I don't know how long (smiling).
A lot of players nowadays have elbow issues, wrist issues, because that kind of subject, which wasn't the case maybe 15, 20 years ago, or 10 years ago when I started.
I'm working on it. Hopefully it's getting better every day.
Q. Laura, a bit of strapping on your leg. Everything okay?
LAURA SIEGEMUND: I'm more like precaution. At my age you have something every day (laughter).
Sometimes I feel good taping it, makes me feel more secure. Nothing serious. I actually felt pretty good out there. I thought I might have some issues here and there. Just a bit heavy, not as reactive in the singles at least.
Yeah, no, going out with four matches after two days, I have to say I feel pretty good.
Q. What was it like playing against the crowd?
LAURA SIEGEMUND: Yeah, I was a bit surprised. It was like we played in China at some points, yeah. But I'm really tough with this kind of stuff. You can't get me down. I've experienced crowds that were even more for the opponents.
Of course it makes a difference here and there. If you have the crowd in your back, it's always helpful. I'm not sure if it decided anything today particularly in my singles. It is what's. They have a lot of fans.
Q. Kazakhstan, against Rybakina. Looking forward to that one?
LAURA SIEGEMUND: Yeah, I mean, we've played a couple times. Obviously she is super dangerous for me. But I think I just have put zero pressure on myself. That's not a point we can count on.
But I've shown many times that I can hurt the best players. I've hurt her also already. I know her. Let's see. I just try to rest well tomorrow and be sharp when I play against her and we see what happens.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports