I. SWIATEK/M. Kostyuk
3-6, 6-1, 6-2
THE MODERATOR: Iga, congratulations on the great match today. What changed after the first set?
IGA SWIATEK: Well, I knew I can play better. I knew I had some shots that I maybe should have played more brave in the first set.
In the second I came out, you know, being more brave and using the opportunities, like playing a bit faster and more heavy, and pushing Marta a little bit more. I knew I can, you know, keep being solid while doing that.
So then, like, game by game I felt like it was a good plan and a good choice, and I went for it.
THE MODERATOR: Questions?
Q. On the first set, there were a lot of breaks of serve. You only won one point on your serve. What were you seeing with your serve, and why was it difficult on your service games in that first set?
IGA SWIATEK: Well, I think that the speed of my serve was not high enough, but she was also returning well.
It's not like I was beating myself up. It was more like, I know she's a great returner, she's putting pressure especially on the second serve of the opponent, and sometimes she was risking it and it was going in.
So, yeah, I mean, I knew I need to serve better if I want to win the match, but I also knew that if I just continue being solid she may do some mistakes sometimes.
So, you know, so, yeah, in the second and third it was just better level of serving.
Q. In the last game, it was quite a tense last game. You had lots of match point opportunities, you saved the break point, and then you eventually win. Then you had quite the emotional fist pump. In that moment, what emotions were going through you closing out what was a tough match and a big match for you?
IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I mean, I was just proud of myself and happy with the performance. It was an intense match.
Even though the scoreline was maybe not so close, but every point, like, we fought for every ball. There weren't many free points.
And if we both made some mistakes it was because the other one was pushing. It's not like we just played stupid or something, you know.
So, at the end I was just happy that I was the one that was more solid and improved my game until the end. Yeah, that's it.
Q. You mentioned before that you were really happy with your calmness to start the tournament. How calm were you feeling after the first set, and what's been the key to your calm this year?
IGA SWIATEK: I mean, I had a clear idea of what to change, and I felt what I'm doing wrong.
I was calm because, like, the worst you can feel is either hopeless or you have no idea what to do. I didn't have that today.
That's why I was, why I also kept my calm, and just trusted my plan that I had in my head, and, yeah, I felt calm (laughing).
Q. What do you mean by not being brave enough in the first set?
IGA SWIATEK: It's just, you play at some pace and you feel comfortable with it, you know. But to win a match like that you need to go out of the comfort zone sometimes, you know, play a bit faster. Maybe not like you would necessarily to be, like, hundred percent sure that it's going to go in, but you need to sometimes take some risks.
Q. What does it do for you when you see an opponent clearly frustrated on the other side of the net, emphatically gesturing towards her coaches and stuff, what does that do for you on the other side?
IGA SWIATEK: I don't care. Usually, honestly, I don't see that because I'm kind of focused on doing my job.
But if I see that, like it is a little bit satisfying, you know, I got to say. But most of times I don't care because I want to continue doing my job.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports