Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Youzhny takes Kremlin Cup in native Moscow

Muscovite Mikhail Youzhny rallied past Serbian Janko Tipsarevic for his first ATP Tour win of the season and fifth career victory in Sunday's final at the $1.08 million Kremlin Cup.

The third-seeded Youzhny finished strong in a 6-7 (5-7), 6-0, 6-4 triumph against Tipsarevic, improving to 5-6 for his career in title matches. This was the sixth consecutive year a Russian has captured this event on home soil.

"This is my most important title for sure, to win at home in front of family and friends is just incredible. I had never played well here, I was always too nervous," said Youzhny. "If I can play well now and win under this pressure, it is very important for me."

Youzhny overpowered qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals here Saturday on the indoor hardcourts at Olympic Stadium.

Sunday's final marked the first dropped set for either player at this year's event.

Tipsarevic was appearing in his first ever Tour final and had won both previous encounters with his opponent Sunday. The sixth-seeded Serb cruised past Ukrainian qualifier Illya Marchenko 6-1, 6-4 in the semis and was bidding to become the sixth first-time winner on the Tour this year.

"I am disappointed. I played good, but not good enough. Misha played better and fully deserved to win," Tipsarevic said.

Youzhny took home $170,000 for the win.