Q. Denis, you played well last week and qualified for the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, are you satisfied with the way you are playing?

Denis Istomin: Thanks , it was really a good week for me , at Moscow , I’m happy that I was able to qualify for the main draw winning four matches , I was a bit tired by the time I reached the main draw, but I’m happy with the way I’m hitting the ball.

Q. How has been the year for you so far?

Istomin: It has not been bad I won two Challengers in Uzbekistan at Bukhara and Karshi and also finished in finalist at Sransk and Chekassy . It has been lot of hard work and slow and steady climb up.

Q. Other Uzbek youngsters are also doing well , so a lot of weight must be off your shoulders at the Davis Cup ties?

Istomin: We always had good players , but now we have geled well as a unit , it will be much easier for me as the other guys are playing well , We surely will do well in the Davis Cup ties , in the coming year.

Q. What are your plans for the next year and the season?

Istomin: The season and the year is not yet over for me I’m playing in 2 more challengers in Kazakhstan and Ukraine in the next few weeks and then will join other team members in Thailand for practice sessions. My aim is to break into top 100 by the year end and start the New Year with challenge to be in top 50 in the year. But now I’ll be playing in Europe as it’ll help me to get into the next level mentally and also game wise

Q . The Challengers and Futures in the country have surely helped you and the players in reaching your goals faster?

Istomin: True , I’m thankful to Uzbekistan Tennis Federation for the initiative. It is truly helping our players. But surely a lot of players have benefited and will continue to benefit.

Q. Over the last few years , you have become very popular in your country and also have a lot of young fans , who want to emulate you, any message for them?

Istomin: (Smiles) I really don’t know if I have so many fans , but surely the countrymen like my game . I want to thank all of them for their support and I’ll surely do my best to entertain them , and play well to make the fans feel proud of our country.