Currently without a coach ... Began playing tennis at age 6; introduced to the sport by mother, Elena, a swimming coach; favorite surface is hard ... Graduated from University RUPF in Moscow in 2005 ... Has one cat, Gabriela ... Speaks Russian, English ... Other interests include basketball, reading, dancing and listening to music, especially Russian music ... Favorite movie is "Meet Joe Black"; favorite actresses are Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones ... Favorite city is Paris, because of its history, architecture ... Favorite tournament is Moscow ... Changed nationality from Russia to Kazakhstan in 2008 ... Goal is to be Top 20.
