Mirnyi Wins 50th Title In Moscow

Sunday was not Max Mirnyi’s first trip to titletown — not even close. But it will certainly be a moment that the 40 year old won’t soon forget.

Mirnyi won his 50th ATP World Tour doubles title, joining Philipp Oswald to defeat singles champion Damir Dzumhur and Antonio Sancic, 6-3, 7-5, in the final of the VTB Kremlin Cup.

“You never can say the victory was easy just looking at the score,” Mirnyi said. “There is always a special pressure when you are playing at home. And I think the VTB Kremlin Cup is a home tournament for me as unfortunately we haven’t got an ATP tournament in Minsk…many of my relatives and friends came to watch my matches and that is the one more reason to show your best. And when you managed to do this, it is a great pleasure.”

It was the Belarusian’s fifth VTB Kremlin Cup title with his fifth different partner. In his career, Mirnyi has partnered 19 different players to at least one title, starting with Kevin Ullyett in Shanghai 20 years ago.

Sunday’s victory was his first since capturing last year’s Abierto Mexicano Telcel with Treat Huey.

Mirnyi/Oswald did not drop a set en route to the title, with this event their fourth main draw appearance together. Oswald leaves Moscow with his third title this season after winning the Ecuador Open (w/Cerretani) and the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open (w/Marach).

“It means a lot because when you look at the list of winners with Max, he’s won this tournament five times with Federer and all those top stars and now it also says 50th title with Oswald,” Oswald said. “Partnering with Max is like being in an elite club of top players.”

Mirnyi has won three of his 50 titles with Roger Federer, with two in 2002 (Rotterdam, Moscow) and another in 2003 (Miami).

Dzumhur came close to becoming the first player to win both the singles and doubles title in Moscow in the same year since Nikolay Davydenko in 2004.

It was Sancic’s second doubles final. He lost in the final of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag with Nikola Mektic.

Mirnyi and Oswald earned 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points each and will split $40,400 in prize money, while Dzumhur and Sancic take 150 points and will share $21,240.