EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/QDmKbFa.png)
The first day of the quarterfinals featured
Mong vs 
free and Mind vs Last in two best of three matches. ![[image loading]](/staff/Stratos/SSL10_DES_Interviews/Mong_Ro8_Day1.jpg)
You advanced to the semifinals. How do you feel?
After winning the first set it often seemed like it would be a reverse sweep so honestly I was nervous. I originally expected Yongtae hyung to win Blue Storm with some strategic play but I didn't expect the third set to be so difficult. From the games so far, having now advanced to the semifinals is what I'm most happy about. I'm really delighted.
You showed an unyielding spirit in all three games.
I have a lot of experience with losing games despite being in lead. (laughs) So I didn't give up in either of the sets despite the disadvantage.
You turned the first set around.
I practised with Yoon Chul (Snow) and I couldn't even win half of the games. So I was quite frustrated and I think I'd have a hard time if free went with fast carriers. I thought that I should win if I can only delay that until the late game.
You didn't give up easily in the second set.
I did think I already lost in the second set but I thought I shouldn't become a player that loses without giving up a fight. The third set wasn't easy either. I didn't want to give up in the psychological warfare. To tell the truth, my gg timing was off. (laughs)
You started at a disadvantage in the third game.
The moment I walled myself off I thought my opponent was certainly twelve-nexing. But that meant that I may not be able to do the strategy I prepared so adjusting the strategy wasn't easy.
The ninja expansion got you a great advantage.
It was a strategy I prepared originally. If you get a secret base up you can only get ahead. If you can only get into the eleven o'clock base fast and set up your base you can win the game so I expanded early on. I used fantasy's strategy for reference and his winrate was good. Luck was on my side today. If free's observer spotted the ninja expansion I would have just lost the game.
Seeing free's PvT in the tiebreakers must have been intimidating.
It really seemed like he was a man counter to Mind. Sung Gyoon hyung (Mind) helped free earlier and even then it was fifty-fifty. But oddly he just kept winning against Mind no matter what he did. It was truly amazing. I didn't think of him as an opponent I couldn't beat but seeing the match-up quite a few fans told me "good job" [as in, it's over]. Hearing these talks I tried even harder.
Since you reached the semifinals your goals must have changed.
Now I aim to advance into the finals. I can prepare for a TvT in the semifinal so I want to start preparing hard right away.
Anything you want to say?
Many people came to support me. I'm sincerely thankful and I'll do my utmost best on free's behalf. I want to thank Snow who helped me practise.
Source: DES
![[image loading]](/staff/Stratos/SSL10_DES_Interviews/Last_Ro8_Day1.jpg)
You advanced to the semifinals. How do you feel?
I considered round of 8 to be critical but I advanced easier than I had expected so I'm pleased. For some reason I felt like if I can get out of this round I'll go to the finals so it's nice. Seeing that I'll be matched up with a Terran in the semifinals I played my game quite relaxed.
How was your condition today?
I played a lot of games preparing for the match so my wrist hurt a lot. My performance didn't seem good either so I focused on my handling my condition. I had a deep desire to show a good performance even if it meant losing.
Why did you think this round was critical?
Sung Gyoon hyung (Mind) plays well and with the tiebreakers he got to play a lot of broadcasted matches. I was mostly worried because of his improved performance.
Did you imagine you would be winning so easily?
It went as I imagined during practice so it's a relief. The game went in the direction I needed to get ahead. I was able to fight well when it came to siege lines and I was able to predict the opponent's build as well.
It seemed like you prepared so that you wouldn't lose the initiative.
Whenever I prepare I pick my build so that I'm able to grasp the initiative. Honestly, I used to just play standard during Brood War but playing SC2 opened my eyes when it comes to strategic play. Because of that my skills seems to have upgraded.
You are one of the players that like TvT. You will be playing Mong in the semifinals.
I saw Mong's and free's game beforehand and the Terran won. The maps favored the Protoss and the semifinals will be a best of five series so there would seem to be even more Protoss favored maps. Had free advanced I would've been frustrated but since Mong did I was secretly glad. TvT is a battle of skills and I am confident I won't lose.
There is a prejudice that TvT is boring.
It feels a bit like Baduk/Go and if you take a deep look at TvT it's really interesting. I wish everyone would understand that. TheMarine (caster) was also a Terran player, wasn't he? I hope that he does a cool commentary in the semifinals.
Would you also like to play a Terran in the finals?
I'd be fine with a Protoss advancing as well but, honestly, if a Terran did, it would be good for me. (laughs)
Source: DES
Original interviews by Daily eSports journalist Lee Sora - sora@dailyesports.com
SSL banners by: DiMiaN
