MOSCOW, Russia - Alisa Kleybanova has firmly established herself as one of Russia's best this year, winning her first two titles (in Kuala Lumpur and Seoul), and this week plays at home in Moscow. Catch up with the rising star now!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Hi everybody and welcome to my blog from Moscow :)

It's always nice to talk to the fans and say something about the tournament. We play every week and it's our life, but for all of you hopefully it's interesting!

Playing in Moscow is always special for me. It's the last tournament of the season, it's my hometown and I get to stay at home, so there are too many good things happening for me! The whole year we stay in hotels, so much that they have become like home - but now I'm staying in my real home, sleeping in my own bed... it's great. It's not too far from the site, either.

It has been a good year so far. I've had some ups and downs. I'd win something then not play so well at some tournaments, and I had an injury in the beginning of the year. But it's impossible to be on top all the time. The most important thing is to learn from everything and do better and better as you go on. I've been injury free since Miami and have played all the tournaments I planned to play. I'm happy and healthy now, and I believe the results will come!

The player party was last night, it was very nice. I like the player party here in Moscow, it's always very high quality, in a nice place with great music. We have different artists performing here and cheering us on during the week.

I'm hoping to do well here this week. I play Safarova in my first round Tuesday, doubles today. I've never played Lucie before and I know it will be tough.

Talk to you all tomorrow...

Alisa