Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Tennis » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
   Discuss   |      Email   |      Print | Get latest news on your desktop

Safin too good for Isner in LA opener
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
August 06, 2008 09:52 IST

Former world number one Marat Safin [Images] began his bid to end a title drought dating back almost two years with a confident 6-3, 6-4 win over American John Isner at the Los Angeles Classic on Tuesday.

The Russian, ranked 44th after his semi-final run at Wimbledon [Images], broke his opponent once in each set to take his place in the last 16 where he will face another American, Wayne Odesnik, a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 victor over compatriot Bobby Reynolds.

"After two weeks when I lost in the second and first rounds, and against an opponent like Isner, who is not easy to play, I was pretty solid," Safin told reporters.

The 6ft-9in Isner fell into trouble early and saved two break points in the second game, but Safin secured the break two games later thanks to a successful Hawk-Eye appeal.

Safin, who was ranked 75th before Wimbledon, cruised through the rest of the set and then broke in the opening game of the second.

Isner had one chance, a break point at 5-4 down, but Safin closed the door with a stunning backhand pass before clinching victory when the American lashed a forehand return long.

Safin said his immediate aim was to earn as many points as possible this week and then in Washington next week in a bid to be among the 32 seeds at the US Open later this month.

"I have a chance (to be seeded) and that's my goal. It's a huge difference if you are seeded at the US Open or not, because you can play Rafael Nadal [Images] in the first round."

"I think I am playing pretty well. For this first match, it was a pretty good performance. I just need to stay aggressive and move on from here."

Earlier, veteran American Vince Spadea won a topsy-turvy match with Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to set up a second round clash against sixth seed Mardy Fish [Images].

Serbian lucky-loser Dusan Vemic will play top seed Andy Roddick [Images] in round two after he fought back to beat American Sam Warburg 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 and there were also wins for Italian Andrea Stoppini and another American, qualifier Amer Delic.

Seventh seed Carlos Moya [Images] and number eight Tommy Haas are in first-round action later on Tuesday. Spaniard Moya faces Belgian Xavier Malisse, while German Haas plays American Donald Young.



© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
 Email  |    Print   |   Get latest news on your desktop

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback