E. RYBAKINA/N. Osaka
4-6, 7-6, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Elena, congratulations, into the semifinals again here in Canada. Just talk us through the match, and how you were able to get over the finish line today.
ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, it was again very difficult match. I honestly don't know how I managed to turn it around in the second set being 4-2 down. I was just trying to stay positive, try to stay close to the score. So, yeah, very happy that I managed to turn it around.
THE MODERATOR: Questions?
Q. I know it was obviously the first time that you played Naomi on tour. Was there anything that kind of surprised you about your game? I know you practiced with her before, but it's a lot different in game settings.
ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, it wasn't very different from the practices. She plays aggressive and she has a very good serve. I knew what to expect since we practiced a couple of times.
Of course, some moments under pressure is different from the practices. Overall, I feel like we knew each other already a little bit.
It was important for me to serve well, which I didn't to start the match. Then it got better, so I'm glad that in the end it went my way.
Q. Serving 2-3 in the third set, you saved four break points. How big of a turning point was that for you? Also, in the next game you had that wild point where Naomi hits that lob and you were somehow able to win that. How big were those moments when you think back allowing you to win the match?
ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, these kind of points I feel like also I got a bit lucky because she should have win it.
But also I had the same situation where I had the ball on top of the net, and I didn't win it.
So I feel like it's more about fighting and trying to some moments put the ball back. Honestly, some break points which I saved, she serves really well, but I also felt that I know where the ball is coming, it was kind of on the racquet but I was not managing to return.
So, yeah, again, I think mindset was only to stay close to the score, try to play a point at a time. And when I was getting to the deuce and getting my opportunities, I was just trying to play a little bit more aggressive, and maybe risky, how it happened also in the match point.
Q. You lead the tour in aces. You had 15 tonight. How much pride and work have you put into kind of disguising your serve and making it more unpredictable?
ELENA RYBAKINA: We work on the serve all the time. I started this tournament not good at all with too many double-faults. Even today I did quite a lot, I would say, in the first and second set. In the third my serve really improved.
But we work all the time. Because of the conditions, sometimes I lose the read. Also it's important to put all the energy on the serve.
So, yeah, we always try to adapt, to adjust to the conditions, so it's always something we need to work on.
Q. I know you played went on court a little bit earlier than maybe you were expecting, with Belinda's withdrawal. When you're warming up, I know it happens on tour, but does it change how your warmup was going in terms of your routine or anything like that?
ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I was hoping to actually hit a little bit later, once more, at least 10 minutes, to get used to night conditions.
When we started, it was still a little bit of sun, but then it got completely, like, different from the matches I played, because all of them were during the day.
So I couldn't find the feeling, it took me some time. But we anyway came in advance because we knew anything can happen.
So I was kind of ready, but it would have been nice to hit when the conditions are actually the one you're going to play in.
Q. Looking ahead to the semifinal against Coco, you haven't played since 2022. What are your thoughts on the matchup, and how do you think she's changed as a player since?
ELENA RYBAKINA: She's a great fighter. I know it's going to be very difficult match.
For me it's important to try to recover. And if her serve gets going it's also not easy to return. So, yeah, I feel like the most important thing again is to focus on my serve, try to be focused, get opportunities whenever I have them, and, yeah, be with a lot of energy from the very beginning.
Q. You mentioned getting out of a 4-2 deficit in the second set. Even in your previous match you were down 3-Love in the third set. What do you tell yourself to stay so composed in those tight moments and end up getting through to the finish line at the end of it?
ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, we played many close games when she was serving. I was just trying to tell myself, start the point, just try to return, and if she hits a good serve, I mean, good job for her.
So just keep on going, try to take my serve. And, yeah, it was just unlucky the first set, I lost straight away my serve and then it was very difficult. She served well. Yeah, just the mindset was trying to stay closer to the score, and then whatever happens, happens, and try to play aggressive when I have an opportunity.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports