MOSCOW, October 19, 2018

Laura Siegemund has captured her first doubles title on the WTA-Tour since 2015. Alongside her Russian partner Alexandra Panova, the 30-year-old German won Friday’s final of the VTB Kremlin Cup 6-2, 7-6(2) over Darija Jurak from Croatia and Raluca Olaru of Romania. The duo broke serve four times to prevail after one hour and 33 minutes.

Siegemund, who had been sidelined from the courts due to injury for one year and returned to the circuit in March, lifted her fourth WTA doubles trophy.

Laura Siegemund (photo: Florian Heer)

“It’s an emotional victory. I am really happy,” Siegemund said. “We complement each other very well, but I think it is something you are looking for in a partner before you create a doubles team. I knew she has a good serve, that she likes to hit really hard, and that was something I needed.”

Siegemund returned to Moscow for the second time this year. The Filderstadt native advanced to the quarterfinals in singles at the River Cup in July.

“I really enjoyed my time here in summer. It was a very nice tournament and we also had some time to spend in the city. I have to say that I fell a bit in love with Moscow. That was the reason to come back and to compete in the Kremlin Cup,” Siegemund explained. With this triumph, the current World No. 122 in singles will end her season.

“This was my last tournament this year. Now, I am looking forward to spend some time with my friends and family off the courts. It’s time to recharge the batteries in order to come back even stronger in 2019,” she said.

In Saturday’s women’s singles final, Daria Kasatkina from Russia will take on Tunisian qualifier Ons Jabeur.

In the men’s competition, Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medevedev will square off in an all-Russian semi-final. Italian Andreas Seppi will face Adrian Mannarino of France for another spot in the Sunday’s title match.