SAFIN won a match again YAY!!!

[Seles3]

i will post the article

[Seles3]

Hungry Safin Finds Success

01/05/2004

In their past meetings the sight of the Cook on the other side of the net was about as appealing as the prospect of food poisoning for Marat Safin. Frenchman Fabrice Santoro, affectionately nicknamed "Le Cuisinier" (the cook) for his varied style of play, mixed a steady diet of deft drop shots and scintillating slices into a recipe for success that completely confounded Safin in their past meetings.


The crafty cook had served up a French feast in winning seven of his eight career matches with Safin prior to today's showdown at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

Famished for his first victory in nine months, an inspired Safin shredded Santoro as quickly as a cookie in a cuisinart, scoring a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in the International Tennis Federation's eight-team exhibition event. French woman Amelie Mauresmo beat Anastasia Myskina, 6-2, 7-6 in the women's singles and partnered with Santoro to score a 6-3, 6-4 win over Safin and Myskina to lift unseeded France to a 2-1 victory over fourth-seeded Russia at the Burswood Dome.

Though the Hopman Cup is an exhibition event, the victory was meaningful for Safin, who snapped his winless drought in emphatic fashion. It was Safin's first victory since he stomped Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-4, 6-3, on red clay in the Barcelona semifinals last April.

The former No. 1, who was sidelined for half the 2003 season with a wrist injury that plunged him into a period of self-doubt, has an optimistic outlook on the 2004 season. Safin has set his sights on returning to the top 10 and contending for another Grand Slam championship and was thrilled to finally beat his long-time nemesis.

"It feels great to be back," Safin told Reuters writer Ossian Shine. "I am happy. I mean, playing Fabrice is not so nice for me...he was leading 7-1 in matches we'd played, so I am happy to be back and to win."

The towering, talented, temperamental Safin remains one of the only professional players on the planet capable of dominating a match with both his serve and return. Safin's gift for the game is undeniable, but his commitment to crafting a championship career was questioned even before his injury when Safin seemed to take a page from the Yevgeny Kafelnikov manual of minimizing results by overplaying an extensive schedule rather than pacing himself to reach peak form in time for the majors.

A little more than three years ago, Safin looked utterly unbeatable in crushing 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras to win the 2000 U.S. Open — one of seven tournament titles he won that year — but he has seemed completely clueless on the court for sustained periods of play in winning only three tournament titles since.

Safin's Davis Cup captain Shamil Tarpischev said in the past the former No. 1 has all the qualities necessary to be a great champion — except for one essential element: desire.

"There's no doubt about that. He could be as dominant as Michael Jordan was or Michael Schumacher, Tiger Woods, you name it," Tarpischev told Reuters last April. "Unfortunately, he has the talent but not the desire to be the world number one."

Over the past two years, the 2002 Australian Open finalist has produced a 68-37 record, won one tournament title, reached four finals and has seen his ranking plummet to No. 77.

Convinced he has regained his commitment and health, Safin said today his time away from tournament tennis has left him hungry to regain a spot in the top 10.

"I have been resting for six months so it is time to play some tennis again — I want to be back," Safin told Reuters. "My ranking has dropped to 77 so it is a difficult time for me. But I will be trying my best to get back into the top 10."

[Hantuchova Fan]

Safin has gas problems.................whew!

[glamour-gal]

thanx for posting!

[muffins]

I'm so glad he's finally won a match! I hope this is the first step to getting back to his best. A longway to go I know but I really like Safin and I think the tour has missed him.

[glamour-gal]

me too!!
already missed marat!!!!! :)

[Seles3]

Australian Open Round 1
Marat Safin def. Brian Vahaly 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-4

[muffins]

Yay! I hope he can win a few matches and get that winning feeling back again. I have really missed Marat. What I'd like to see is Andy Safin when they're both playing their best tennis. I'd have so much fun watching that hehe!

[glamour-gal]

right, andy vs marat would be perfect!!!!! :)

[muffins]

Safin plays Todd Martin next. What an intriguing tie. I do like Todd but I hope Safin wins. I think I heard that Todd's been playing pretty well of late.

[Seles3]

2nd rd Safin def Nieminen 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-4

if Safin can beat Martin and Blake he will play Roddick if Roddick win his matches. SCARY.

anyways Safin vs Martin will be scary cause Martin is good.

[muffins]

Oooooh, I SO hope that happens. I'd love to see that match. It's definitely be one to stay up for, but it is a bit ahead yet, there are some other matches that have to be played first. That news has got me a little excited now hehe!

[Seles3]

OMG what a high quality match!!!!!!!!!

SAFIN def Martin 7-5 1-6 4-6 6-0 7-5!!!!!!!

Safin vs Blake in Round 4! They showed the end of Safin (taped) on ESPN. He played well. I heard that he shoved his raquet down his mouth again lol. Safin also got a code violation.

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by Seles3
OMG what a high quality match!!!!!!!!!

SAFIN def Martin 7-5 1-6 4-6 6-0 7-5!!!!!!!

Safin vs Blake in Round 4! They showed the end of Safin (taped) on ESPN. He played well. I heard that he shoved his raquet down his mouth again lol. Safin also got a code violation.



couldn't see anything of this match :(
however i'm glad to hear he won!!!!!!!

[glamour-gal]

hopefully i'll be able to watch the match safin vs blake!!!!!! :D

like both :D :D

[muffins]

I doubt I'll get to see it because it'll probably be on the wee hours of Sunday morning and I just don't have the energy to stay up that late, I wish I did.

[glamour-gal]

i'm soooo tired..... was up almost the whole night......

first i watched agassi vs srichaphan, after marat vs blake. what a great match!! :D
later the summary of andy's match!! he won!!!


now it's time for the 'big' match andy vs marat!!!! :)

[muffins]

I can't wait for Safin v Roddick. 2 of my favourite players, I'm guaranteeed someone I like in the semis! Yay! I hope Andy wins but I won't be sad if Marat wins. I should be able to see about an hour of it before I have to leave for university.

[Seles3]

i cant watch the live scoring so i will watch the match tomorrow as if it were live.

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by muffins
I can't wait for Safin v Roddick. 2 of my favourite players, I'm guaranteeed someone I like in the semis! Yay! I hope Andy wins but I won't be sad if Marat wins. I should be able to see about an hour of it before I have to leave for university.



me too, me too!!!! :D
can't wait!!!!!!

yeap, do like both as well!
anyway, i hope andy will win!! :)
if not, it's although fine :p


awww, unfortunately i won't be able to watch it live :cry: :cry:
have to tape it on!!


tomorrow's the big day!!!!!


go andy go!!! :D

[Seles3]

SAFIN DEF. RODDICK 2-6 6-3 7-5 6-7(0-7) 6-4 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


YAY WOOO HOOOOOOO!!!

[glamour-gal]

:cry: :cry:


anyway, it's up to marat to beat agassi now!!!!!

[Hantuchova Fan]

^^^ omg he better do it!!!!!!!

Anyways GO NALBANDIAN AND REDERER!!!

[glamour-gal]

don't forget to watch marat's match!!!!
it's on in about one hour!!! :D

[glamour-gal]

marat's in the final!!!!!! *jumps in the air* :D :D :D :D :D

[KimC]

Andre lost:cry: Now there's nowon I like left in the draw. I guess I hope Safin wins seeing as he took out Andre and Andy, and out of the three left I enjoy watching him play :)

[muffins]

I'm so gutted I missed it. To think while a great match wasbeing played out I was sitting in a room learning about Early Modern English lol. I hope Safin wins now and I will make a special effort to see the final. Go Safin! What a great return it would be!

[Seles3]

by reaching the final Safin moves up the rankings from #86 to # 32!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if he wins he will be # 18!!

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by muffins
I'm so gutted I missed it. To think while a great match wasbeing played out I was sitting in a room learning about Early Modern English lol. I hope Safin wins now and I will make a special effort to see the final. Go Safin! What a great return it would be!



yeap, it was a great match!!
sorry that you missed it! i missed the one i was looking for; andy vs marat!! i'm still mad about it!!

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by Seles3
by reaching the final Safin moves up the rankings from #86 to # 32!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if he wins he will be # 18!!



:D

[Hantuchova Fan]

OMG i like both guys roger federer and marat safin. so if either one of them wins, I'll be happy. Right now i can;t decide who to cheer for. I really like federer and I really like Safin.

BUT yay both AR and AA are gone

[glamour-gal]

yeap, both are gone :(


i'm for marat!!!!!!!! :D
hopefully he'll win!!!!

good luck to him!!!

[KimC]

Originally posted by glamour-gal
yeap, both are gone :(


i'm for marat!!!!!!!! :D
hopefully he'll win!!!!

good luck to him!!!

I agree I'm hoping Marat will win so good luck to him:)

[glamour-gal]

yeap, marat should win!!

will you stay up to watch the match live??

[KimC]

Yep I wil be staying up to watch the match:D I have been staying up nearly every night through the AO. How about you?

[Hantuchova Fan]

for california, i don'[t have to stay up, the matches show at 6 or 7 pm every night so, by 10:00 it is over and i can get on........

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by KimC
Yep I wil be staying up to watch the match:D I have been staying up nearly every night through the AO. How about you?



i stayed up just for some matches......... unfortunately i missed andy vs marat!! :cry:


however, i got up for today's final - marat lost :cry:

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by Hantuchova Fan
for california, i don'[t have to stay up, the matches show at 6 or 7 pm every night so, by 10:00 it is over and i can get on........




yeah, that's cool!

[glamour-gal]

Safin falls short
by Barry Levinson
Sunday, February 1, 2004


Big-hitting Marat Safin suffered from a power shortage in his straight sets defeat to new world No.1 Roger Federer in the final of Australian Open 2004.

The Russian said a grueling fortnight had left him 'out of gas' heading into the Grand Slam final, leaving him with little energy to prevent the 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-2 defeat.

"I was a little bit too tired to keep up with him with the same rhythm," Safin explained. "I had to be there from the beginning to the end and I felt that I was missing just a little bit."

In his six matches leading into the final, Safin played 27 sets of tennis compared to Federer's 20, for a total court time of 18 hours and 51 minutes (Federer was on court for only 10 hours and 30 minutes in his lead-up matches).

"I think I played too many sets; I spent too many hours on the court," the Russian added. "And there's nothing you can do."

After play went with serve in the first two games, Safin was the first to gain a break to go up 2-1.

But Federer then reeled off the next three games - breaking Safin twice - to move out to a 4-2 advantage.

Whilst unable to reproduce the outstanding form of last Thursday's heroic semi-final victory over Andre Agassi, the big Russian more than matched the new world No.1 in the first set.

He again broke Federer's serve and promptly held his own to level the set at 4-4. But it would be the last time he would break the Swiss star's serve for the afternoon.

Safin saved two set points when trailing 6-5, to force the set into a tie-break, but after the first four points were won against the serve, Federer took control and claimed the tiebreak 7-3.

"I had a chance in the first set," Safin stated. "If I had won the first set, it would be a little different story. But after I lost the first set, it was a little bit difficult because he became confident and it was difficult to keep up with him."

Despite spending all of Friday resting and limiting his time on the practice court on Saturday, Safin knew he was in trouble when he struggled to move freely during his pre-match warm-up.

The Russian had some early opportunities in the second set, taking both of Federer's first two service games to 30-30, but he could get no closer.

Once Federer broke Safin to move ahead 3-2, the Russian did not win a point against his opponent's serve in the Swiss star's next four service games.

Safin's dissatisfaction with his inability to play his regular game reached boiling point midway through the second set when he smashed his racket after double faulting, earning a code violation from chair umpire Mike Morrissey.

A clearly frustrated Safin looked desperate for the misery to end in the third and final set and offered little resistance, dropping his serve twice.

But while disappointed with the end result, the 24-year-old was delighted with his achievements over the past fortnight, after missing eight months of last year with a wrist injury.

Safin's ranking had slipped from No.3 a year ago to No.86 before the start of the tournament, but he hopes that his performance at Melbourne Park is the beginning of a stellar year.

"For me it's still great," he said. "I would never think that I would be in the finals this week, after what happened before. But I'm happy."

"I should have won, but if you look realistically at the picture I think it's great for me. It was a great two weeks and I beat great players."

"I will have other chances to beat him (Federer) in the finals. But for me, personally, it's great. It's good to start the year this way."

And the affable Russian did not want the focus on his tired effort to overshadow the victory by Federer, who will officially claim the title of No.1 in the world from Andy Roddick for the first time in his career, on Monday.

"I don't want to push myself down because I lost a match against Federer," Safin said.

"It's not like I played against a yo-yo - a guy who doesn't know how to play tennis. Let's give him some credit. He is a big player. He's No.1 in the world."

Marat Safin

[KimC]

Marat lost:cry: oh well he did a great job getting to the finals:)

[glamour-gal]

of course marat did a great job!!!


i guess almost nobody expected that he'd be in the final before this tournament!!!

well done marat!! :D

[KimC]

your right I mean I know I didn't expect him to be in the finals. I thought maby he'd get to the second or third round considering how long he's been out with an injury. But maby that takes the pressure off knowing that your not expected to get to far into a tournament.

[glamour-gal]

me too!!!
something like second round, not more, to be honest!


it's sometimes better when you aren't the fave one in such a tournament i guess!!!


anyway, marat did a great, great, great job!!!! :D


congratz again!!!

[KimC]

Your right I mean look at Goran Ivanisivic(sp) I bet nowon expected him to win wimbledon but he did. Or when Costa won the french, so I guess it payes off to be the underdog sometimes.

[muffins]

I was disappointed he lost but was very happy he showed some signs of his previous brilliance and he did ever so well to get to the final!

[glamour-gal]

yeah, well done marat!!

[KimC]

Does anyone know what Marat's next tournament will be?

[muffins]

Um, I think he was supposed to play the Davis Cup but I could have sworn I saw something saying he wasn't now.

[glamour-gal]

hmmmm, haven't heard anything about the davis cup and marat at all- dunno.


what's their next tournament? milan, innit? maybe he's playing there?!?!

[Seles3]

SAFIN WILL PLAY (ugh, he better not be trying to be a hero for Russia. He better be fit and ready to go or I will slap him)

Here is the Order of Play


Friday, February 6

Singles, starting 1300 GMT
Vladimir Voltchkov v Igor Andreev
Max Mirnyi v Marat Safin

Saturday, February 7

Doubles, starting at 1300 GMT
Max Mirnyi/Vladimir Voltchkov v Marat Safin/Mikhail Youzhny

Sunday, February 8

Reverse singles, starting 1100 GMT:
Max Mirniy v Igor Andreev
Vladimir Voltchkov v Marat Safin

[KimC]

Thankyou for the info:D is this going to be broadcast on eurosport or just sky sports?

[glamour-gal]

awwwwwwwwww, that's awesome!!!
thanx for telling us!!! :D

hope marat will be fit!!

i don't think they'll show it on eurosport :cry:

[Seles3]

Safin is back this week

and he played doubles today

SAFIN/ESCUDE def Gonzalez/Srichiphan 6-1 6-2 YAY!

[glamour-gal]

good luck marat!!!

[Seles3]

Safin has some sort of ankle injury now ugh! Nobody knows if it is serious.

1sr RD SAFIN (8) def Mayer (Q) 6-3 6-4

[muffins]

Well done on his win. It's so good to have him back. I hope he can stay fit and hope his latest worry isn't serious.

[glamour-gal]

yeah, hope his injury isn't too serious!!

[Seles3]

Bjorkman def Safin 7-6 7-5! Ok so Safin and Venus lost today BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

[muffins]

Oh well. Bjorkman is a good player and always capable of pulling off some good results.

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by Seles3
Bjorkman def Safin 7-6 7-5! Ok so Safin and Venus lost today BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!



sorry to hear that! :(

[Seles3]

Marat is playing DUBAI this week
1st Round Marat Safin(wc) vs. Roger Federer

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[glamour-gal]

good luck marat!!!

[KimC]

Originally posted by glamour-gal
good luck marat!!!

[muffins]

Yes, good luck Marat! Hopefully he can get revenge for the Australian Open final. And Henman lost to Zib today.

[glamour-gal]

who's zib??

[Seles3]

Federer def Safin 7-6 7-6

safin was up 5-3 in first!! oh well

Safin is playing doubles with Rochus

[muffins]

Ah well, good luck to him in the doubles! Thomas Zib is a qualifier I think.

[glamour-gal]

ok, thanx for telling me muffins!!

[MrsShaneWest]

dang, it sucks that he lost with Federer again. :/

[KimC]

Anywon know what Safins next match is?

[Seles3]

Indian Wells
2nd Round

Safin vs Q or Davydenko

[KimC]

Originally posted by Seles3
Indian Wells
2nd Round

Safin vs Q or Davydenko

Thanks:D I guess he'll be hoping for a qualifier

[Seles3]

Indian Wells
3rd Round

Safin vs Roddick

[muffins]

Hmm, that'll be interesting. Roddick will be looking for some revenge.

[glamour-gal]

oh, how exciting!!!
wish i could watch it!!
may the better one win!! :p

[Seles3]

Roddick DESTROYS Safin 7-6(8-6) 6-2

Safin is such an idiot. He was up 3-0 in the first, his attitude was off today. No me gusta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[glamour-gal]

was watching the summary;
i can say i'm really happy for andy!! :D

oh come, next time marat will win!!
vamos!! :p

[muffins]

I'm happy Andy won ut I would have been quite happy either way. Safin I think is still finding his best game.

[MrsShaneWest]

He lost to Vincent Spadea in Miami..in the first round. *sighs*

[Hantuchova Fan]

vincent spadea is kool

[muffins]

Anyone know when Safin plays next?

[glamour-gal]

i guess his next tournament are the estoril open in portugal. but i'm not 100% sure.

[MrsShaneWest]

yeah i think ur right. Isnt he playing the Davis Cup this week?

[glamour-gal]

don't think so.
these teams are in the world cup quarterfinals:


USA v Sweden
Belarus v Argentina
Switzerland v France
Spain v Netherlands

[muffins]

Yes but there were Euro/Africa zone matches too, like Luxembourg v Britain which Britain won. :)

[Seles3]

Belarus def Russia in the first round

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by muffins
Yes but there were Euro/Africa zone matches too, like Luxembourg v Britain which Britain won. :)


congratz then!! :)

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by Seles3
Belarus def Russia in the first round



:eek:

[KimC]

I was surprised at how well GB played considering that this was Gregs first competitive tennis since january:)

[Seles3]

SAFIN WON A MATCH AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! it has been a long time!

Safin def Sauliner(sp) 5-7:rolleyes: 6-2 6-2!!!

[muffins]

Hooray! I know he has only just come back from injury after a long spell out but he seems to be going back to that inconsistency thing.

[Seles3]

Estroil Open 2nd rd

Safin def Ascione 6-4 6-4


QF Safin vs Robredo (that is hard) i love them both too ugh

[Christina Da Diva]

Originally posted by Seles3
QF Safin vs Robredo (that is hard) i love them both too ugh

OMG! That is one HOT match. :blueeek: Them boys make me orgasm!

[Seles3]

Safin def Robredo 7-6(2) 2-6:rolleyes: 7-6(5)

[glamour-gal]

:D was the match good??

[glamour-gal]

Originally posted by Christina Da Diva
OMG! That is one HOT match. :blueeek: Them boys make me orgasm!


:o

[Seles3]

SF

Safin def Labdaze 2-3 RET

[muffins]

Safin won his latest match at the Monte Carlo Masters against Max 'The Beast' Mirnyi.

[glamour-gal]

well done marat!! ;)

[KimC]

Well done to marat :cool: and good luck to him for his next match.

[Seles3]

Marat is in the quarterfinals

he def Arthurs in 3rd rd 6-4 6-2

he plays Alberto Martin next.

[glamour-gal]

congratz!!! :-)

hope he'll win against martin!! fingers crossed!!

[glamour-gal]

:) marat vs martin 6:3 3:6 6:1

and will play tomorrow against coria.
good luck!!!

[KimC]

well done Marat :cool: looks like he's in good form at the moment

[glamour-gal]

yeap, looks like that he is!! :-)

imagine he'd win the tournament!!!! awwww..... good luck!!

[KimC]

Yep good luck to Marat maby he'll win the tournament.

[Seles3]

Coria def Safin 6-3 1-6 6-3


Safin hasnt won a tournament since 2002..... he loses again..... lame.....

[glamour-gal]

:(

did anyone watch his latest match?

[muffins]

No I didn't. I think Safin is probably still recovering his form. Hopefully he can take the form that took him to the semis this week into the rest of the year.

[Seles3]

Safin withdraws for Barcelona! He is resting! He will play German Open next

[glamour-gal]

Safin withdraws for Barcelona! He is resting! He will play German Open next


everybody needs sometimes a break :-)

the german open are in hamburg, aren't they?

[MrsShaneWest]

he's playing the Italian Masters first, starting on Monday. I just got a confirmation..now i know i have to be there! lol

[glamour-gal]

he's playing the Italian Masters first, starting on Monday. I just got a confirmation..now i know i have to be there! lol


omg - that's gonna be awesome when you're going to see him playing live!!!

[MrsShaneWest]

Yeah im so excited! This would be my first time and ive wanted it for so long :)
I was just checking the ticktes prices and omg its soooooo expensive lol i dunno what ill do :p

[Seles3]

Safin won his first round over somw wc 6-4 6-3

[glamour-gal]

Yeah im so excited! This would be my first time and ive wanted it for so long :)
I was just checking the ticktes prices and omg its soooooo expensive lol i dunno what ill do :p



yeah, i can imagine!!
however, save your money for other things..lol.. ---- i just say end of may :-))

[glamour-gal]

Safin won his first round over somw wc 6-4 6-3



always good to hear!!

[Seles3]

Safin def Paradorn in rd 3 6-2 6-2

too bad he is losing to Massu 5-7 0-1 right now..... he will never win a tournament ever again!

[Seles3]

safin lost again................ 5-7 4-6 to massu

[muffins]

Awww. He was the only one of my favourites left! Andy lost and then Tim today and now Safin. Hmmm, I wonder who I can get behind now. To be honest, I wasn't expecting the players who were involved in the fire at the weekend to do well at this tournament. And to be honest, in light of the fire tennis seems pretty trivial in comparison. It puts thing into perspective.

[glamour-gal]

poor marat! :cry:

[MrsShaneWest]

I met Marat and Dasha last night! lol Actually i've met them twice and i wasnt even expecting to. They were hanging out in the Tim Village and he was extremely nice to us. :)

About his match..he said his foot was hurting too much in the first set and thats why he couldnt do better. The pain only went away after he took a pill but it was too late. :(

[glamour-gal]

omg!! lucky you!!
you've to tell me everything then!!! :)
so what did you do? some nasty things...lol....???

and mrs shane west: don't forget about ..... u know what i mean... :p

[Seles3]

German Masters Series

Marat Safin def Sebastian Grojsean 7-6 (8-6) 7-5

um he always gets the hardest draws UGH!!!

[glamour-gal]

yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!

marat!!!!! :D

[Seles3]

German TMS

2nd Rf

Safin def S. Sargsian 4-6 6-3 6-3

[muffins]

Yay! Well done Marat! Keep it up! :)

[KimC]

Well done to Marat and good luck to him in his next match

[Seles3]

Melzer def Safin 6-4 6-4 (WORST MATCH OF THE YEAR FROM SAFIN)

he didn't really try. I HATE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::slaps marat:: idiot...

[KimC]

Bad luck for Safin, but well done to Meltzer he is a good player but doesn't seem to win a lot.

[glamour-gal]

was marat really playing that bad?
shame on him!

[glamour-gal]

@seles3: you've a new avi!?!? justin - omg!!

[Seles3]

FRENCH OPEN

First Round

Marat Safin (20) DEF Agustin Calleri 5-7 6-1 4-1 RET.

[KimC]

Safin has his match later today good luck to him with that

[Seles3]

Safin is really stupid! He should have won already but now his match has been suspended due to lack of light

it is 7-7 in the 5th Set


He also stripped on court today, by taking down his shorts as a joke. He got a point penalty for this. Mantilla was even laughing lol.

[glamour-gal]

unfortunately i wasnt able to watch marats match.
how did he do?

omg- he did strip on the court??
wish i had seen this!! :bunny:

[Hantuchova Fan]

^^ he was penalized a point for that and will probably be fined......

i think the tennis officials should lighten up

[Seles3]

Safin def Starace in third rd 6-7 6-4 3-6 7-5 7-5 (safin saved 2 match points)


starace had over 80% first serves and played so well

[glamour-gal]

well done to marat !!!!

long match, eh?!
how did marat play then?

[glamour-gal]

just watching marat's match vs nalbandian!
i'm so excited!! hopefully marat will win!! ;-))

have you seen his bladders on his hands?? poor marat! :cry:

[glamour-gal]

marat's out!!! just lost *cry*

[Seles3]

i just saw the score! i am not sad though! He fought HARD even with those blisters!

He needs a tournament win soon though!! His confidence is going to go down the drain if he doesn't.

[muffins]

I sort of saw the match. I was trying to watch a football match at the same time hehe! From what I saw Safin tried hard. I thought he might not win against Nalbandian, David has a good chance this year.

[glamour-gal]

hopefully marat will be able to win a tournament very, very soon!!
good luck to him!