Bogomolov Defeats Russell to Win Kennedy Funding Invitational Title

The exciting conclusion of the Kennedy Funding Invitational's Men's tournament took place Saturday evening with 27 year old Alex Bogomolov facing 32 year old Michael Russell in a best of three sets final.

Both players competed once before in the Kennedy Funding Invitational of 2007, though the outcome was quite different, as Bogomolov fell in the first round while Russell went on to win the tournament.  This year Bogomolov made it to the final round to defeat Russell in three sets, thus securing the 2010 title and $40,000 in prize money.  Though, for such top-level competitors, the importance of the tournament as a charity event is paramount, getting the confidence and prize money from a finals win against such tough competition is still a welcome accomplishment.

The taste of victory was especially sweet for Bogomolov, who is returning from a wrist injury last year.  "I had four good matches so it built a lot of confidence," said Bogomolov, "and the money provides some extra cushioning.  Now I can bring my coach with me to more matches, which is a nice confidence booster."  The extra confidence and "cushioning" for Bogomolov were especially beneficial, as he left the very next day to continue his busy schedule of training and competition on the ATP World Tour.

Ranked 226 on the Tour, Bogomolov was the underdog going into the match against the former champion and 92^nd ranked Russell.  Bogomolov, who has ranked as high as 97^th in the world, and Russell, whose career high was 60^th, put up top-notch performances to amaze the crowd.  Their thrilling match gave validity to the Tournament's assertion plastered notably on the arena wall that "only the best in the world play here."

The first set went neck and neck, as both held serve until the seventh.  Russell was up 30-0 when he began to falter.  After allowing Bogomolov back in the game with a double fault and a couple shots in the net, Russell double-faulted to hand Bogomolov the break.  After holding in the eighth, Bogomolov was up in the ninth 40-30.  Russell then brought it to deuce and, after acing Bogomolov to gain his second advantage, won the fourth with a powerful forehand down the line.

Russell then broke Bogomolov to even it up, after which both held to send the set to a tie-break, which Bogomolov dominated to win the set 7-6 (7-2).  Russell then dominated the second set, winning it 6-2.  The momentum in his favor, Russell proceeded to take the first three games of the third set, winning a series of exceptional rallies with spectacular returns. 

Bogomolov's frustration continued to mount as Russell's returns continued to land.  It seemed he just could not catch a break.  Bogomolov then held the fourth to win his first with a series of powerful precision serves.  It still seemed, however, that Russell was going to take the match, as he easily held the fifth, thanks to unforced errors from Bogomolov.

Bogomolov then double-faulted and made two unforced errors to give Russell a 40-0 break opportunity in the sixth.  He turned it around, however, with a pivotal powerful serve and slam winner, to gain the advantage in four consecutive rallies.  He squandered the first, but took advantage of the second with an unreturnable serve to win his second game of the set.  Bogomolov then stepped it up to dominate the next four games, helped along by his opponent's numerous unforced errors, to eventually win the set 6-4 and the match on a long return from Russell.

With the final count for the match 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-4, the two competitors walked smiling to the net to congratulate each other amidst the cheering of the crowd.  Mitch Klein then came out to thank the players and gave them a chance for some final words to the spectators.  First to speak was Russell.  "This event is amazing," said Russell, "to come back here and play for a great cause and take time from the tour, it's amazing."  Bogomolov echoed his Russell's sentiments, saying "this is a great event and I was so thankful to receive a call from James to come back here."

After the check and trophy presentation, Bogomolov spoke to his difficulties in the second set.  "I've played him and practiced with him a lot, so I know his back and forth game is very good, so if you get into a rhythm with him, it's lethal and that's what happened in the second set. 

Of the momentous comeback in the third set, Bogomolov spoke to his strategy.  "I started playing with more of a top spin, because he had gotten too comfortable with the flat balls and I knew we were both getting tired, so I made him run to return my shots.  When asked about the mentality that he needed in that situation to come back for the win, Bogomolov responded "I've been through it for so long I just wanted to play and stay calm.  It's just important, as so many great athletes say, to stay calm and execute."

Bogomolov set off the next day to return to the tour, however the 2010 champion will hopefully be back next year to defend his title and raise more money for the fight against breast cancer.