Looks like former tennis star Yevgeny Kafelnikov has found a new career. Kafelnikov, who was cleared of charges that he fixed a tennis match after an investigation by the ATP Tour in 2003, quit tennis in 2004 to become a professional poker player.

Kafelnikov then hired a comrade of his to show him the ropes. He enlisted the services of professional poker rookie of the year (2002) Kirill Gerasimov, who just happens to be from his native Russia. Apparently, Gerasimov has molded Yevgeny Kafelnikov in a fine poker specimen.

The former tennis star won the Russian Poker Championships last fall in Moscow. He also finished ninth in the World Series of Poker's Seven-Card Stud tournament earlier this month. The 9th place finish earned him $10,745. His mentor, Gerasimov finished in 2nd place. Kafelnikov went all-in with about $30,000 in chips and was eliminated by Abe Almalhi when his flush was beaten by Almalhi's river full house, according to cardplayer.com.