Yevgeny Kafelnikov admits he’s pleasantly shocked by Vera Zvonareva's gorgeous Dubai, and the previous two-time Grand Slam champion jokes the 41-year-old could have been "consuming some kind ot rejuvenating apples" currently.
After being out of motion for 18 months, Zvonareva entered this week's W100 (ITF) match in Dubai. The previous world No. 2 is taking part in in singles and doubles occasions and has reached the ultimate in each competitions.
In singles, Zvonareva – who doesn't have a rating in the meanwhile – has crushed to this point Tara Wurth, Tereza Martincova, Sofya Lansere, and likewise survived a three-set semifinal battle towards 16-year-old rising star Mika Stojsavljevic. In doubles, the 2010 Wimbledon runner-up teamed up with fellow Russian Rada Zolotareva, and so they have gained three matches to this point of their workforce debut.
41 yr outdated 🇷🇺 Vera Zvonareva defeats 16 yr outdated 🇬🇧 Mika Stojsavljevic 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 to succeed in the ITF W100 Dubai closing.
First singles closing since 2020 for the Former world No.2
Additionally scheduled to play doubles SF later
Zvonareva was ranked seventh on this planet when Mika was born😅 pic.twitter.com/Ya2uiTEMDB
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) December 6, 2025
Kafelnikov: She is having enjoyable and we will solely be comfortable for her
“I don’t actually perceive what Vera is doing. I don’t know what the key to success at 41 is. Perhaps she’s consuming some form of ‘rejuvenating apples’ (laughs). Everybody does what they really feel is correct. If she enjoys taking part in tennis — nice. We will solely be comfortable for somebody who’s having enjoyable and getting a thrill out of it. Why take that away from her? We will solely be glad for her,” Kafelnikov instructed Championat.
After beating Stojsavljevic, Zvonareva is about to satisfy one other teenager as her Dubai closing rival will likely be 19-year-old Petra Marcinko, who’s ranked at No. 103 on this planet. They don’t have any earlier conferences.
Within the Dubai doubles closing, Zvonareva and Zolotareva will tackle Gao Xinyu and Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
