Post by Tatiana on Nov 6, 2004 7:46:58 GMT 3
I didn't know where to put this article, so thought I'd make a new thread. Yay Marat, we're so proud of you!! 
Hewwitt crashes out, while Safin powers on[/u]
Australian Lleyton Hewitt's Paris Masters campaign has been halted at the quarter final stage by the enigmatic Marat Safin.
Safin, a winner in the Masters series event in Madrid a fortnight ago before bowing out in a hail of umpire abuse and attitude problems in St Petersburg, was far too strong for the second seed winning 6-4 7-6 (7-2).
The sixth-seed, looking for his third win in this event, gave Hewitt a few late chances to fight back, squandering a match point in the 10th game of the second set and having to save two break points in the 12th. But with two powerful backhands and a Hewitt double fault, Safin cruised through the tie breaker and into a clash with Argentine Guillermo Canas.
Earlier Safin had affected the only break in the first set in the fifth game. Serving for a one-set to-nil lead, Safin trailed 0-30 but fought back to take the early lead, setting up a memorable win.
Canas, seeded 13th, had few troubles with Feliciano Lopez, winning 6-3 6-3 for his first-ever win over his Spanish opponent. Canas is looking for his third tournament win of the year but must overcome Safin.
The surprise of the tournament, Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek also advanced to the semis with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 success over Mikhail Youzhny.
The 25-year-old now faces Max Mirnyi - who beat Robin Soderling 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) for a place in the final.
Hewwitt crashes out, while Safin powers on[/u]
Australian Lleyton Hewitt's Paris Masters campaign has been halted at the quarter final stage by the enigmatic Marat Safin.
Safin, a winner in the Masters series event in Madrid a fortnight ago before bowing out in a hail of umpire abuse and attitude problems in St Petersburg, was far too strong for the second seed winning 6-4 7-6 (7-2).
The sixth-seed, looking for his third win in this event, gave Hewitt a few late chances to fight back, squandering a match point in the 10th game of the second set and having to save two break points in the 12th. But with two powerful backhands and a Hewitt double fault, Safin cruised through the tie breaker and into a clash with Argentine Guillermo Canas.
Earlier Safin had affected the only break in the first set in the fifth game. Serving for a one-set to-nil lead, Safin trailed 0-30 but fought back to take the early lead, setting up a memorable win.
Canas, seeded 13th, had few troubles with Feliciano Lopez, winning 6-3 6-3 for his first-ever win over his Spanish opponent. Canas is looking for his third tournament win of the year but must overcome Safin.
The surprise of the tournament, Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek also advanced to the semis with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 success over Mikhail Youzhny.
The 25-year-old now faces Max Mirnyi - who beat Robin Soderling 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) for a place in the final.
but no worries. here's fine too.