Breaking News

Kontaveit beats Vondrousova at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 to avenge her Winbledon loss

October 23, 01:30 PM

Middelkoop and Heliovaara become second finalists of VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 doubles event

October 23, 01:15 PM

Photo gallery of the fifth game day, October 22

October 22, 11:45 PM

Karatsev garanteed an All-Russian semifinals at the VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

October 22, 11:15 PM

Khachanov outserved Millman with 19 aced to reach SF at VTB Kremlin Cup

October 22, 09:15 PM

Aslan Karatsev: «My goal is to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin»

October 24, 08:30 PM

Karatsev outpayed Cilic to win VTB Kremlin Cup singles title

October 24, 07:00 PM

Harri Heliovaara: «We play tennis just to have the kind of rallies we’ve had in the "VTB Kremlin Cup" finals»

October 24, 06:45 PM

Anett Kontaveit: «Ekaterina played great, it seemed I had no chance»

October 24, 05:15 PM

Ekaterina Alexandrova: «The loss to Kontaveit is very painful, but I won’t make it a drama»

October 24, 04:00 PM

Kontaveit came back from a set and two breaks down to beat Alexandrova in the VTB Kremlin Cup final

October 24, 02:30 PM

Aslan Karatsev: «I know what to expect from Cilic, I am ready for the final»

October 23, 10:00 PM

Karen Khachanov: «I made errors in the tie-break, it played a key role in the match against Karatsev»

October 23, 09:30 PM

Marin Cilic: «To reach another VTB Kremlin Cup final is a special moment for me»

October 23, 08:30 PM

Jelena Ostapenko: «I'm enjoying my freedom in Moscow!»

October 23, 07:00 PM

Ostapenko/Siniakova clinched doubles title at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

October 23, 04:45 PM

Anett Kontaveit: «It’s going to be a tough battle with Alexandrova in the final»

October 23, 04:45 PM

Supported by

Ministry of sport of the Russian Federation

Department<br>for sport<br>of Moscow city

Anastasia Pavlyuvhenkova: «My grandmother is a fan of Fognini»

October 18, 12:30 AM

Anastasia, please, tell us what you make of the match against your compatriot Varvara Gracheva?

Today Varvara played an absolutely different tennis, the opposite of what I had in the first round in the match against the Greek Maria Sakkari. She played flat strokes with low bounce. She qualified and passed the first round. She has a lot of confidence, she is young. I played badly today. But the main thing is the result. I am glad that I was able to turn the tide of the match. I was down 2/4 (in the third), and it already seemed that I will lose. Nevertheless, I fought till the end, and everything worked out.

You said that Gracheva played low and flat. Perhaps when your coach Sam Sumyk stepped on court, he made some adjustments to your game? Maybe he had a recipe against such a game of your opponent?

Yes, we always tactically approach each match. We were prepared that Varvara would play actively, aggressively. With her, it was necessary to be in the court, not to step back, to take the initiative. Crush her. Otherwise, she immediately began to go forward - what happened during the match. My game is also active. I usually don’t play defensively and don’t «fight back» with strokes from the baseline.

By the way, why did you start working with Sam Sumyk?

Because he is a great specialist. Because he had tremendous results with different players, with the girls with whom he worked. Victoria Azarenka, Garbine Muguruza, Vera Zvonareva - they all played the finals of the Slams, won Slams. I just decided to try 100% - to take a good team, and I am pleased that he also believes in me and agreed to coach me. And we have an interesting cooperation. His discipline is tough. I was missing it. I hope this helps me make a new leap. Maybe it will help my game and my results in the next season. Now, of course, it’s difficult to correct or say anything, because this is the last tournament of the season. My year was not easy. But there were many changes. We started working with him just a week before the tournament in Osaka, where I played in the finals. I’m doing everything I can now, I’m struggling. And all that remains I’m laying out.

Your next opponent is Veronika Kudermetova, also a Russian, you have already played with her twice this season, the last time - not so long ago, and you won. What to expect from this meet?

In that match I won 7/6 in the third set. She plays very well now: actively, aggressively, such an attacking tennis - this is exactly what she did in Beijing, it was hard. In all the rallies, she went forward and putpressure. I fought and managed to win. We made conclusions, the first set I won 6/0, and it seemed that everything is in my hands, and then I lost concentration and allowed her to come back into enter the match. I do not know what will happen tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. I am determined to win. The opponent is serious, but I will do my best. I need to play tomorrow better than today and show stable tennis.

How do you like the new place of the «VTB Kremlin Cup» tournament?

Love it much more than the «Olympiyskiy». Even how it looks. Here are more sport facilities made really for sports. I like the lights more, they are more pleasant and easier for the eyes. There I got tired faster. It was dark at any time of the day. I even said: as if you are coming to the casino: at 8AM in the morning it is dark, at 10 PM in the evening it is also dark. You get tired of it. And here the players' area and the restaurant are gorgeous, I really like everything. It’s comfortable here.

Your mother was very worried about you today, and jumped from time to time from her place. Who is your main fan in the family?

Well, of course, mother and grandmother. My grandmother is a tennis fan. She watches all matches on TV at home. She knows all the players. She can watch tennis, 24 hours 7 days a week, all matches in a row. She knows all the players on the ATP tour. She can come to a press conference, ask questions, take interviews. She knows everything!

Maybe she advised to pay attention to someone on the ATP Tour?

The one she likes is married. This is Fabio Fognini. Clearly, he is beautiful - everyone likes him. She is not even embarrassed by his behavior. My grandmother is a fan of Fognini.

Breaking News

Photo gallery of the final game day, October 24

Schedule for October, 24th

Karatsev sails into VTB Kremlin Cup finals after beating Khachanov

Cilic became the first finalist of the VTB Kremlin Cup

Alexandrova reached the VTB Kremlin Cup final as Sakkari retired

Kontaveit beats Vondrousova at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 to avenge her Winbledon loss

Middelkoop and Heliovaara become second finalists of VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 doubles event

Photo gallery of the fifth game day, October 22

Karatsev garanteed an All-Russian semifinals at the VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

Khachanov outserved Millman with 19 aced to reach SF at VTB Kremlin Cup

Breaking News

Photo gallery of the final game day, October 24

Schedule for October, 24th

Karatsev sails into VTB Kremlin Cup finals after beating Khachanov

Cilic became the first finalist of the VTB Kremlin Cup

Alexandrova reached the VTB Kremlin Cup final as Sakkari retired

Kontaveit beats Vondrousova at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 to avenge her Winbledon loss

Middelkoop and Heliovaara become second finalists of VTB Kremlin Cup-2021 doubles event

Photo gallery of the fifth game day, October 22

Karatsev garanteed an All-Russian semifinals at the VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

Khachanov outserved Millman with 19 aced to reach SF at VTB Kremlin Cup

Aslan Karatsev: «My goal is to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin»

Karatsev outpayed Cilic to win VTB Kremlin Cup singles title

Harri Heliovaara: «We play tennis just to have the kind of rallies we’ve had in the "VTB Kremlin Cup" finals»

Anett Kontaveit: «Ekaterina played great, it seemed I had no chance»

Ekaterina Alexandrova: «The loss to Kontaveit is very painful, but I won’t make it a drama»

Kontaveit came back from a set and two breaks down to beat Alexandrova in the VTB Kremlin Cup final

Aslan Karatsev: «I know what to expect from Cilic, I am ready for the final»

Karen Khachanov: «I made errors in the tie-break, it played a key role in the match against Karatsev»

Marin Cilic: «To reach another VTB Kremlin Cup final is a special moment for me»

Jelena Ostapenko: «I'm enjoying my freedom in Moscow!»

Ostapenko/Siniakova clinched doubles title at VTB Kremlin Cup-2021

Anett Kontaveit: «It’s going to be a tough battle with Alexandrova in the final»