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Kunitsyn downs Safin in all-Russian Moscow final

Sun 12th, October 2008

Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - Igor Kunitsyn edged Marat Safin in three sets in an all-Russian final at the Kremlin Cup on Sunday, taking his first career ATP crown in the process.

Kunitsyn, ranked 71st, defeated Safin 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in his first career ATP final. The 27-year-old native of Vladivostok twice was a semifinalist earlier this year and previously reached the semis of this event in 2005 and 2006.

"Winning the title feels unreal," said Kunitsyn. "Playing in front of a home crowd in an all-Russian final, against one of my best buddies Marat and one of my favorite players was amazing. It was amazing to be in the final and it really is a dream come true. I wasn't expecting it."

The seventh-seeded Safin was 3-0 lifetime against Kunitsyn prior to Sunday, including a 6-4, 6-3 triumph in the semifinals of this event two years ago.

Safin, who beat fellow Russian and two-time defending Moscow champion Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals on Friday, dropped the final of this event for the second time in three years. He lost to Davydenko in 2006.

The former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion hasn't won a tournament since capturing the last of his 15 titles at the 2005 Australian Open. He was a surprise semifinalist this year at Wimbledon and is currently ranked 40th.

Kunitsyn collected a first prize of $171,000.