Germany - 2
China - 1
THE MODERATOR: Unlucky tonight in the tie. Congratulations on qualifying for the quarterfinals. What made Germany such a tricky opponent?
ZHANG SHUAI: Today I think is, yeah, we play really great day. We saw Zhizhen play first good set. We know how he improve his-self and he put his-self every moment. Still Sascha top two player of the world. We still have space to improve ourself. Also mixed doubles.
For girls, yeah, Xinyu, she play so good. Before she play on court, she's a little bit nervous. Then we told her she can beat Laura because she's how good last match.
I know Laura and Bea so well. We play a lot doubles together also against. Yeah, also last couple days we practice together, warm up together. I know how good she are. Only because her ranking little bit low.
But no matter about ranking, we just go on court. I said, You can beat her. Yeah, you just go try your best. Think about you-self. No need to think about who they are.
Yeah, she did amazing.
ZHANG ZHIZHEN: For me the biggest problem with Sascha. For sure he had a really great, great tennis at the moment. Also singles, doubles, even the mixed doubles, he had a very good serve, strong baseline. Makes us trouble, especially on his service game. Really tough to break, which is almost no chance.
Yeah, still, I mean, Sascha is biggest problem. Also Siegemund was play great. Especially after three sets, still can playing the doubles also for the physically. Siegemund is 48, physically stuff, still can challenge. Big challenge for us.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Disappointed to not win the tie today, but to qualify for the quarterfinals, thoughts on that?
ZHANG ZHIZHEN: Well, is not really disappointing because, I mean, against those top players, first of all, you want to having some compete. You don't want to lose really fast or something like this. Today I did first set. Also third set and second set have some problem.
When I losing the match, right away I'm starting to counting the point, everything. Especially when we won the first set, we were quite sure we already qualify, very happy. Mixed doubles extra for us. We are just trying for the group No. 1. There is no pressure, yeah.
Q. Would you like to comment on the incredible two wins that Xinyu has had.
ZHANG ZHIZHEN: Too good. Sorry, again, I didn't expect for that from two matches (smiling).
Yeah, I'm really surprised. Also that's what I say before the match. We might get the better result from last year, yeah.
Q. Xinyu, this must seem like a dream. Two very important matches.
GAO XINYU: Actually for me is like the two matches dream. Too much before the match, I was telling myself, They're too good, really good player, top 50 in the world. Just telling myself, Do your best. Every match is like class: you have to learn something. They top 20, top 50, have rhythm be there. You have to learn something.
Very proud of myself and also we can get in quarterfinals. Is like dream.
Q. Since you had those two wins, have you noticed a change, more social media followers, big WTA stars sent you messages?
GAO XINYU: Yes, I got a lot of message actually. I don't want to focus on the social media actually.
Q. Who was the nicest message you received?
GAO XINYU: WTA and United Cup office.
Q. Can you give us a name? Who is the biggest star?
GAO XINYU: I think WTA office account, yeah.
Q. How far do you want to go from here? Do you think Team China can go all the way to the title?
GAO XINYU: I mean, of course we want to get champion. Let's see. I think it's next day play USA. Let's see that day.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports