Belinda Bencic and Andrey Rublev Claim Kremlin Cup Singles Titles

(October 20, 2019) Belinda Bencic and Andrey Rublev took home the singles trophies at the VTB Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday. The Swiss rallied past former champion former champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 to capture her second title of the year.

By reaching the final, Bencic overtook Serena Williams in the rankings and the race and qualified for the last spot in the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, China later this month.

It feels unbelievable right now. I still can’t imagine it,” the 22-year-old Bencic said on-court after the victory.

“I had no pressure going into this match. We were so happy yesterday, celebrating [the WTA Finals] and this is the cherry on top.”

Moscow is Bencic’s fourth career WTA title.

Rublev gave himself a present on Sunday as the hometown boy beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-0 to celebrate his 22nd birthday with a title.

“I’m at a loss. I can’t find the right words for what it means to me to win here,” Rublev said after the match. “I grew up with this tournament. I spent my whole childhood at the VTB Kremlin Cup. I will remember this tournament and this win for many years, and I’ll hopefully be playing this tournament for many years down the road.”

This was the Russian’s second singles trophy that he’s won on the ATP tour. He’ll move up into the Top 25 for the first time in the rankings.

He is the ninth Russian to capture this title.