Karatsev wins Moscow title

Final day in Moscow.

2021 VTB Kremlin Cup - an ATP 250 tournament, on Hard Indoor, in Moscow, Russia, 18-24 October 2021.

Event not held last year due to COVID-19.

Defending champion (2019):

Andrey Rublev (6) who defeated Adrian Mannarino (7) 6-4 6-0

Final:

Marin Cilic (6) (Croatia) v Aslan Karatsev (2) (Russia)

Cilic won the only previous match between the pair in straight sets in Cincinnati, August this year.

In his 35th final, Cilic was aiming for his 20th title, his most recent in Stuttgart in June this year.

In his third final, Karatsev was aiming for his second title, his first coming in Dubai in March this year.

Cilic served first, and despite an early ace, unforced errors found him at 15-40. A service winner saved one break point. However, a netted backhand from Cilic gave Karatsev the service break.

Three of the next five games were won to love, and Karatsev led 4-2.

In the seventh game, Cilic served. A drop shot sat up and Karatsev had time to run in and hit a forehand winner. A Cilic error and 0-30. 

A Cilic forehand hit the tape on the way over, and landed out. 15-40. One break point saved after Karatsev hit a backhand long. The break came when Cilic’s backhand failed.

Another love game from the Russian, and the set was his 6-2.

Neither player was taken as far as deuce for the first six games of set two.

At 3-3 Cilic was at the line. His backhand volley found the net but a quality wide serve followed and Cilic had 30-15. A poor Croatian forehand hit the net and 30-30. A backhand did the same and Karatsev had a break chance. Saved. A second break point also saved, thanks to a Cilic forehand winner.

Yet another netted forehand from Cilic gave Karatsev a third opportunity, and this one was taken as the Croatian forehand repeated its failure.

4-3 to the Russian.

Two love games followed, and Karatsev served for the match at 6-2 5-4.

From 30-0, Karatsev double faulted, then missed with a forehand. A wide Russian backhand gave Cilic break back point. Saved with a Cilic backhand mistake. 

Karatsev forced Cilic into more error and created a match point. Cilic hit the net with a forehand and the contest concluded.

Aslan Karatsev won the title 6-2 6-4, and his ranking climbs to a career high of #19