Safin: I should have beaten Baghdatis in straight sets
Marat Safin was left to lament a slow start as difteenth seed Marcos Baghdatis held out the Russian in five sets to win the first epic clash of the 2008 Australian Open.
Baghdatis was the superior in the opening two sets, outsmarting and out-hitting the 2005 champion. The Cypriot suffered a noticeable drop in energy in the next two sets, allowing Safin to power back into the contest. A break early in the fifth set was the catalyst for Baghdatis to survive, winning 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 under the Rod Laver Arena lights.Baghdatis has booked a third round clash with home-town boy Lleyton Hewitt.
“I consider I should have won in three, four sets,” Safin said afterwards.
“I was pretty tense at the beginning of the match.”
When questioned on what he did wrong in the opening two sets, Safin was guarded, except for this offering:
“Small things that shouldn’t happen at the age of 27, that’s for sure.”
Safin appeared to be in control on the contest when he levelled the contest at two-sets all, with the former champ pumping winners and dictating the tempo.
“My concentration went down a little bit,” Safin said. “He made the early break. Then, he was pumped up and he was ready to finish the match playing well. Everything went a little bit downhill, and he was just preparing himself for the fifth set.”
As expected, the clash of two of tennis’ big personalities belied the status as merely a second round match,
“Just a pity I have to be out in a second round in a grand slam,” Safin said. “It’s not really the place I want to be.”
Despite lamenting his near-miss, Safin saw positives in the performance.
“It’s actually a little bit surprising for myself to be in such a good shape and play good tennis and be able to compete against top 10 players for five sets, with a chance to win”
Safin has never come from two sets down to win.
| > | Blake beats friend, bogeyman Grosjean awaits |
| > | Ivanovic cruises into third round |
| > | Hewitt: Opponent faked injury |
| > | Lleyton makes hard work of win |
| > | Santoro: Federer beating was fun |
| > | Healthy Federer fit and firing |
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…and Collingwood should have won the premierships against Brisbane. I don’t respect losers that make excuses.