Home Hope Khachanov Wins Kremlin Cup To Realise Childhood Dream

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Oct, 2018 ) :Third seeded wildcard Karen Khachanov of Russia beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in straight sets on Sunday to secure his second ATP title of the season at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

Khachanov became the first home player to lift the trophy since Mikhail Youzhny in 2009 while Mannarino was losing his sixth ATP final.

Khachanov, ranked 26th in the world, prevailed 6-2, 6-2, in 54 minutes to record his third win over the 30-year-old left-hander Mannarino in as many meetings.

"At first I'd like to congratulate Adrian with the final," Khachanov said at the award ceremony. "Sorry that it ended this way.

"When I was a kid and came to this arena to watch our top players, to ask them for autographs I always dreamt of winning this tournament.

Now this day has finally come." Khachanov was in command from the start breaking early for a 3-1 lead.

Mannarino, ranked 49th, tried to level but Khachanov broke again to take the opening set in 24 minutes.

In the second set the Russian 22-year-old underlined his supremacy on the hard court of Moscow's Olympic indoor arena as he made inroads on his rival's service twice again to wrap up the victory and claim his third career title.

"I'm sorry that show wasn't the best one but he (Khachanov) was too good for me and I failed to find the right solutions on court today," Mannarino said.

"I had a great week here in Moscow and I hope to come back next year."