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Igor Kunitsyn (pictured) captured his maiden ATP title at the ATP Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday, defeating No. 7 seed and Russian compatriot Marat Safin 7-6(6), 6-7(4), 6-3 in two hours and 43 minutes. Match Report

Kunitsyn became the 10th first-time ATP titlist this year and the 13th home-grown champion at the Moscow event. He is also the fourth Russian to win an ATP title this season, joining Nikolay Davydenko (3), Dmitry Tursunov (2) and Mikhail Youzhny.

Kunitsyn jumped from No. 71 into the Top 50 for the first time to No. 47 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

ATP Profile: Igor Kunitsyn

ATPtennis.com caught up with the 27-year-old Vladivostok native after his maiden triumph.

How does it feel to win your first ATP title defeating Marat in your home country?
Winning the title feels unreal. 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. I thought I’d give Marat some trouble, because I knew I was playing well against Fabrice [Santoro] on Saturday. To beat him in the final; sounds crazy.

You were 0-3 against Marat coming into the final. What did you do differently from the previous matches?
I think I was serving way better than I did before. I came to the final with good wins and was hitting the ball well. I have played every day since Wednesday. My only concern was my physical condition. Fabrice made me run a lot [in the semifinals]. I did well; I fought for every ball and took the opportunities that Marat gave me. A lot of friends were with me today, including my grandfather so it was great to win in front of them.

Looking at the schedule the rest of the year, does winning the title change things for 2009?
After a day or two, I will make changes to my schedule. I hope it won’t change my practice routine. I’m going to train just as hard and just as hungry for wins – as I have been all year. I want to keep things the same. My plans work well for me: the way I practice, the way I condition myself, the tournaments I play: where to play, where not to play etc. If I need to change something, I will think about it.

Most players travel with trainers and coaches – sometimes three of four people, but you’re a little different in that you travel with one person.
My wife travels with me. She used to play and is the most important person in my life. Of course I have worked with a few coaches, but I must offer the biggest thanks to Allen Fox, who started to work with me after Indian Wells last year. My head was all over the place, I didn’t feel like playing tennis and he helped me a lot. He changed my attitude and a few things. He gave me more motivation to play and travelled with me this year at Indian Wells, Delray Beach and the US Open. Jason Stacey helped me with fitness and Dmitry Tursunov also helps me once in a while. I have a lot of people to thank. I’m not on my own. If I keep winning tournaments, I’ll keep the same routine.

What are you like off the court? What do you like to do?
I’m a competitive person so I like watching all sports, but I follow basketball and ice hockey the most. I don’t like going to night clubs, but I enjoy good food, movies and sometimes reading. As players we have a lot of free time: waiting for matches and at airports. I’m a quiet guy, not like Marat, and enjoy spending time at home when my schedule allows.

You’re next playing in St. Petersburg. Are you glad not to be playing until next week, or do you want to keep the run of form going by playing a match tomorrow?
I’m so glad that I will be having a few days off. If I played tomorrow, I do not know how I would handle it. Emotionally I have nothing left in me. Hopefully I can rebuild and be ready to fight in St. Petersburg.

You’ve won your first ATP title, you get a nice prize money cheque, good rankings points and the tournaments gives you a nice trophy, but you’re excited about getting something else?
Yes, the picture. I remember when I trained with Ivan Ljubicic in Monte-Carlo. We had the same coach for several years, and one time when I visited him with friends I saw his first title picture [Lyon 2001] with the trophy. I just want mine as quickly as possible. I can’t wait to receive it!

ATP Profile: Igor Kunitsyn

Other 2008 first-time winner spotlights
Philipp Petzschner (Vienna)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Bangkok)
Marin Cilic (New Haven)
Albert Montanes (Amersfoort)
Juan Martin del Potro (Stuttgart)
Victor Hanescu (Gstaad)
Marcel Granollers (Houston)
Sam Querrey (Las Vegas)
Sergiy Stakhovsky (Zagreb)
Kei Nishikori (Delray Beach)