Australian Open Aslan Karatsev

Australian Open Sunday, 14 February 2021 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Aslan Karatsev Press Conference Q. You've achieved a few firsts when you're looking A. KARATSEV/F. Auger-Aliassime at the stats, things like first qualifier to reach the quarterfinals on debut since 1996. There's a whole 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 lot of different things that you've achieved going from a career high ranking of 114. You're going to be THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. at this point in the low 60s. Do you think about those sorts of things? Do they matter to you? Q. What were you telling yourself when you were two sets to love down? ASLAN KARATSEV: You told me just now that I broke some records. Of course it's a good feeling, but I try to ASLAN KARATSEV: Yeah, it was a big moment. I didn't more focusing on the tournament, on the matches, and feel my game from the beginning. It was tough to really then everything what happened behind. It's good. It's a serve, and he also broke me down from the beginning, good feeling, yeah. so already I was down in the set, and I just found the rhythm in the third set. I said, Okay, I would keep playing Q. If Daniil and Andrey reach the quarters, it'll be the and go a bit far to the return and make him play more first time in the Open era that three Russians, men, balls, and yeah, I think that was the right strategy. are in the quarters of a major, of a Grand Slam. Pretty cool, too, I guess. Q. What did it feel like when that match was finally over? ASLAN KARATSEV: Yes. Of course, what should I say, it's good. I'm happy for them, yeah. For the Russians ASLAN KARATSEV: I mean, the match is long. You especially. Three players from Russia playing the play best of five, so looks like it's over, yeah, but I said, quarterfinals, it's always good, yeah. I'll keep playing every ball and focusing on the next ball. Q. What can you tell us that Russia is doing right Q. But I'm talking about like the match is finished, that they're the only country with two players in the you've won it. What did that feel like? top 10, potentially three players in the quarterfinals? What is it about how people approach tennis in ASLAN KARATSEV: Amazing. Amazing. It was a big Russia that has made it so successful at this point in win from 2-0 down and emotionally it was tough. Yeah, history? it's a good feeling. ASLAN KARATSEV: It's tough to say. I mean, they was Q. During ATP Cup you sat at the end and seemed a good in juniors, as well, so they grow up from the juniors. little fed up because all the questions were going to They was No. 1. The generation of '96-' 97, they are everybody else on the team. A few more questions really strong, and I think they're doing a good job. coming to you this time. How does that feel? There was a long period of players who wasn't there. ASLAN KARATSEV: Fantastic. (Laughing). There was like Marat and Kafelnikov in the top 10, and now these guys are playing really good. Q. There's been a lot of talk about the speed of the court. Does it feel like a fast court, and do you think Q. Have you surprised yourself? that plays to your advantage with your game, or is it all the same to you? ASLAN KARATSEV: I try not to show that. (Laughing). Yeah, it's a good feeling, yeah. ASLAN KARATSEV: I played here before, and it was slower, yes. But for me, it's good. I think the fast surface Q. I think it was after the second set you left the for me, it's always good. I take the time for the opponent. court to go change, whatever it was. Did you give If you're serving well, it's always good. yourself a little pep talk or anything to try to motivate yourself, because it seemed like after that you were 104673-1-1044 2021-02-14 07:25:00 GMT Page 1 of 2 bringing more energy and that sort of thing. I'm really happy to move on for the next round. Every time it's good emotion. Really happy. ASLAN KARATSEV: I just went for toilet and take a rest. I took a rest. I showered myself a bit in the face, and FastScripts by ASAP Sports. yeah. That's all. Q. How much have you talked to Daniil and Andrey this week as you guys have moved through the event? ASLAN KARATSEV: We talk when we see each other, especially in the locker room. Yeah, it's quite often because you met them mostly in the locker room or in the lunch. That's it. Q. There are many people who are not familiar with you yet. How would you describe yourself as a player and your journey as a player? ASLAN KARATSEV: You mean how I play or -- Q. Yes, your style of play, your strengths, and also your journey to this point as a player, since as some people have said you've come out of nowhere. ASLAN KARATSEV: Okay, I play aggressive, try to play more aggressive style, like going for big serve, and to work the point like as short as I can, like not so long point, not run behind the baseline, that match. Try to stay close to the line. Yeah, probably I would say like that. Q. And your journey from seemingly out of nowhere to this deep point in a major? ASLAN KARATSEV: Yes, it's impressed, but I was working a lot, and it just happened right now. It's like you never know when it happens. It just happened here. Q. What for you is the best part or the most exciting part of what you've been able to do here at the Australian Open so far? ASLAN KARATSEV: You mean out of the court? Q. Well, that too if you want. No, I meant making the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam tournament. ASLAN KARATSEV: I'm already happy to reach this point. Are you talking about the court or out of the court? Q. On the court. What's the best part for you on the court, what you've been able to do, winning these matches, getting to a Grand Slam tournament quarterfinals? You've never even played in a Grand Slam main draw before. What are you happiest about or most excited about? ASLAN KARATSEV: I'm happy every match. Every win 104673-1-1044 2021-02-14 07:25:00 GMT Page 2 of 2.

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