Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

US Open winner Flavia Pennetta has taken a late wild card into this week’s Kremlin Cup in Moscow in order to try for a late charge into the year-end Singapore field. The Italian who claimed the biggest success of her career as she won the New York grand slam last month, stands provisional eighth as the last week of the regular season unwinds.

The third seed got a late start in her post-Open attempts to nose into a spot in the eight-player Singapore field, with the excitement of the grand slam event title taking over her life for a few weeks. “There were a lot of things after I won the US Open,” the Italian explained during the Kremlin Cup All-Access Hour. “I didn’t have a chance to prepare in the way that you have to do for a good tournament like Wuhan.”

Beyond the physicality required to turn around after a career-defining result, Pennetta sounded grateful to have a chance to bask in the joy of capturing a maiden Grand Slam title. “When you have something that big, it’s also nice to have time to enjoy. Don’t rush because you have to do something more in 10 minutes. We always have to rush because we have one tournament after another one. The win is nice, but it’s just for one day. If you’re keeping it longer, it’s much better.”

The 33-year-old is hoping for a second wind to reach the season wrap-up in Asia. “All of the players are tired; if you asked most of the players at this moment of the year, we are all dead. But of course I am here to play my good tennis. I really like this tournament, I have good memories here. The court is nice, the crowd is always nice with me. So we will see – match by match!”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.