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

Karen Khachanov: «My goal is to return to the Top10, I know how to achieve it»

October 20, 11:30 PM

In his opening match Karen Khachanov beat the Australian James Duckworh at the VTB Kremlin Cup 2021, dropping a set for the first time ever in their H-2-H. After winning Karen commented on how he managed to improve his game throughout the match and shared his plans for the rest of the season.

Karen, congratulations! Are you satisfied with the way you played today?

Yes, very satisfied. James is a tricky opponent. But even in the first set I had some chances, I could make a break but didn't while he used his only opportunity. As soon as I raised my game and started serving better, I immediately felt that this was the game that would bring me victory.

You fired 17 aces in this match. Is this your record?

I don't keep statistics, but in a five-set match I served like 32-35 aces, and 17 aces fpr a three-setter is pretty good. I caught the rhythm perfectly, found the right speed and toss. I managed to catch the wave which I am very happy about.

How does the serve help the rest of your game?

As soon as you find the range with your serve, the rest of the components immediately improve. In the first set, he read my serve and it was difficult for me, I did not even expect that he would return so well. When he broke me, he returned exceptionally well, but I was not ready for this, I did play well enough.

Your next opponent is John Millman. Tell us about him and your head-to-head.

We played at the Challenger event in 2015, and met in Auckland in 2020, I lost in three sets. He is a fighter, a complete player, he does everything well, forehand and backhand with good intensity. He does everything at a good level, but the main quality is that he fights till the end, so it will be hard for me.

Today you had your own support group. Many even gave advice from the stands. How do you react to this?

The little girls in the stands cheered for me, it was nice. For two years there was no tournament in Moscow, everyone was waiting for the "VTB Kremlin Cup", the players are always waiting for the fans. It is a pity that due to restrictions not everyone can get in. As for advice, I try to abstract from everything, sometimes I hear, sometimes not. Shouting in my support is encouraging, not annoying.

Who is coaching you now?

From the end of 2019 March 2021 I was coached by Fredrik Rosengren, until March. And then I started working with the Spaniard Jose Clavet. Now we are working with Jose, he travels with me everywhere, for which I am grateful to him. I trust him as a specialist, as a coach and as a friend.

What are your goals for the rest of this season? In terms of rankings and not only.

The rankings turned out to be a big pun, it was frozen for a year and a half, only now normal counting has begun. I am not fixated on this. My main goal is to get back to the Top10. I know how to get there. And the intermediate goals are to be healthy and motivated.

How do you like the prospect of playing in the finals against Andrey Rublev?

I don't like such hypothetical questions, now I have to play a difficult opponent - Millman. And if I manage to win, then maybe I will play Aslan (Karatsev), it is also very difficult. I'll be prepared for anyone I am about to face.

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»