Bogomolov stripped Russia of its title

Bogomolov failed to reach the quarterfinals of the Kremlin Cup

Bogomolov lost to Karlovich at the Kremlin Cup

RIA Novosti Russian Alex Bogomolov lost to Croatian Ivo Karlovich in two sets in the second round of the Kremlin Cup and was the last Russian representative to leave the competition. In the women's bracket, Russian Maria Kirilenko reached the quarter finals, beating Yaroslava Shvedova from Kazakhstan.

The fourth competitive day of the Kremlin Tennis Cup, which takes place in Moscow at the Olimpiysky sports complex, did not bring anything good to the representatives of Russia in the men's bracket of the tournament. Moreover, they simply are not there anymore.

The last Russian tennis player in the tournament was Alex Bogomolov , who previously played for the United States. After Bogomolov came under Russian citizenship, his results immediately plummeted, as if someone had jinxed him. Once the 33rd racket in the world, Bogomolov has now slipped to 96th place, and has long been unable to advance beyond the second round at any tournament. The same thing happened this time.

Bogomolov’s opponent was the Croatian Ivo Karlovich, known for his killer serve. Throughout his career, Karlovic was famous for hitting the most aces, but at the same time he made a huge number of unforced errors and could not lead the match smoothly. That’s why Ivo is also far from the top 20 in the ATP rankings. So the reporting match promised to be very stubborn.

The first set was a sparkling fight, and its fate was decided by a tiebreaker.

The Russian and the Croatian were in no way inferior to each other and responded blow for blow, game for game. Karlovich, traditionally, gained an advantage with throwaway serves, of which he accumulated as many as 16 during the match, while Bogomolov gained his advantage as a result of clever plays. But still, the Croatian card played in the tiebreaker – 7:6 (13:11).

The second set was supposed to be no less stubborn than the first. And at first it was so - the Russian, although he found himself in the role of catching up, did not allow his opponent to break away to a critical distance. It was heading towards another tiebreaker, but then Bogomolov apparently ran out of energy. First, Alex gave his serve, and then could not hold back the onslaught of the Croatian.

Naturally, Karlovich also put an end to the match with an ace – 6:4, 7:6 (9:11).

This season, the title in the Russian capital will again be played out without the participation of Russians. It is also worth noting the departure of the Ukrainian Alexander Dolgopolov , who was the first racket of the tournament. The Ukrainian tennis player lost in three sets to French qualifier Edouard Roger-Vasselin with a score of 3:6, 7:5, 6:7 (6).

Kremlin Cup. Women. Second round Maria Kirilenko (Russia, 7) - Yaroslava Shvedova (Kakhakhstan) - 7:5, 6:4 Ana Ivanovich (Serbia, 4) - Valeria Solovyova (Russia, Q) - 6:1, 6:4

In the women's bracket of the tournament, things are traditionally going better for the Russians. But only this time the abundant representation of the domestic school of tennis was reduced to only two players by the second round.

And only one Russian woman made it to the 1/4 finals - Maria Kirilenko (7).

Alexander Ovechkin's friend, feeling the warm support from the Dynamo player in the stands, beat Yaroslava Shvedova, playing for Kazakhstan, in two sets with a score of 7:5, 6:4. Maria will compete for reaching the semi-finals with Swede Sofia Arvidsson , who the day before sensationally knocked out the second racket of the tournament, Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli .

Another representative of Russia, Valeria Solovyova , left the tournament. The Russian woman lost to Serbian Ana Ivanovic, seeded fourth at the Kremlin Cup, with a score of 1:6, 4:6. Ivanovic will meet newly-minted compatriot Vesna Dolonc in the quarterfinals. The ex-Russian woman defeated Romanian Simona Halep in the second round with a score of 6:1, 6:0.

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Bogomolov stripped Russia of its title - Gazeta.Ru