The quarter-finalists are set, as we move into the serious part of the Australian Open. Here is what some of them had to say today.
Elina Svitolina is through to the quarter-finals, but still wants to keep reminding the world that her home country of Ukraine still needs help.
"This fighting spirit that I have is completely Ukrainian spirit that I try to show, that I try to represent, as well.
"Especially now these days in a very difficult days for Ukraine. It's almost been three years that the war is ongoing. Of course, it's on a daily basis a very heavy rucksack that all Ukrainians have on their backs.
"For me to find a way to win matches, to find a way to bring a little light, a little win for Ukrainian people is something that I feel I am responsible."
Madison Keys has switched racquets, and is playing some of the best tennis of her career, but don’t ask her anything technical about the switch.
"I tried a bunch of different racquets, and like I said, honestly, I had, I don't know, eight different racquets and hit with them for five minutes and said, yes, no," the former US Open finalist said.
"I'm not super on it when it comes to equipment and things like that. I'm more I pick things up, I tell you if I like them or hate them. That's kind of it.
"To be totally honest, I have no idea why I like this racquet, what it does, like, all the specifics of it. I just knew when I picked it up, it felt really good, and that was the winner."
Jannik Sinner was struggling in his win over Holger Rune, admitting he had some luck when the net broke during the match.
"Yes, it was very helpful today. I was lucky today that, this point, 20 minutes off court, trying to get back physically, putting some cold water in my head, it was very helpful. It was big, big luck to me today," he said.
His Italian counterpart, Lorenzo Sonego, might be the first musician/singer to make it through to the quarter-finals of a Slam, and admits it helps him with his tennis.
"I listen my music, because I'm a singer, yeah. And that's the way to stay focused on my match. That's the secret, listen my music. I have more energy when I listen to my music, for sure."
Gaël Monfils may have lost today, but that didn’t stop him smiling.
"I think it's just life matters. My parents, they raised me like that. I always say from the back of your mind, I know where I’m from. I know how my parents raised me, which values. They have been really tough to educate myself like that. That was something that, when you do sport, you need to be happy, because you are lucky to do sport. Of course, it's my job, and you are lucky to do the job that you love… Always keep in back of your mind, if you give everything, you need to be happy."
After defeating Monfils, Ben Shelton spoke about his experience at getting to this stage of a major.
"For me it's a sense of urgency. It's knowing that to get here, you might have done some really good things and played some great tennis, but there is a whole new matchup in front of you, and if somebody's in the quarter-finals or semi-finals, they're close to the best version of themselves," he explained.
"I think, for me, having a game plan going in, not just going out there and whaling on the ball and seeing what happens.
"Physically and mentally, you just have to be able to get to a place where you can trust yourself into those big moments and you don't think that you have to play outside of your limits."
Lucky Loser Eva Lys might’ve been beaten today by Iga Swiatek, but she still enjoyed herself, and learned a lot.
"I would say I definitely had fun today. I didn't really have fun with the score. I enjoyed every second on Rod Laver. I had a lot of people cheering for me. It was definitely special. I mean, they love an underdog, so for me not getting bageled by her is a good beginning, but obviously, a lot to work on.
"I think playing against a player like that, you realize that it doesn't matter how well the week is going, there's still a lot of work to do. There's still a lot of things to improve."
For her part, Iga Swiatek spoke about her mindset when she’s dominating an opponent.
"I'm just trying to react before and not wait for my mind to go to some different places, because I'm winning too easily, you know," she said.
"I kind of always respect the opponent and just want to win more and more and trying not to change my intensity and the way I play because of score. I try to do the same even when I'm losing. I'm just trying to be consistent with this and always have the same mindset."
Emma Navarro spent a bit longer out on court tonight, and spoke about what it takes when a match goes deep into a third set.
"I feel like it's more of a test of mental will than anything. I have worked really hard on my fitness to be able to go three sets and play over two hours, three hours, whatever it takes.
"Yeah, I feel like my fitness has definitely paid off here in my first four matches. I feel like it's more mental toughness than anything."
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