“We felt Nishioka was angry, and he quickly left the match…
He really let it out that he was drunk. That gave me even more confidence. Some people hide it a little more. The fact that he showed it helped me. I said to myself: “We have to steamroller, we have to walk all over him.” I played my game well, even though it could have gone south at the start of the second set. I managed to stay calm. And when he lowered his head, I stayed the course.
How do you experience the media coverage around you?
Good, but I’m not focused on that. I’m just doing my job on the court. I serve well, people are quickly impressed. I do my job of sending cinder blocks in all directions. They have a blast, everyone is happy!
In the next round, you will be pitted against Ruusuvuori…
I feel like he plays a bit like Sinner… He hits very tight without forcing. It can be annoying on this surface. It’s going to be a good match, he didn’t beat Tsitsipas (7-6) [6]7-6 [10]3-6, 6-3) for nothing.