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Post by Annie on Nov 7, 2004 20:49:54 GMT 3
HE DID IT!!!! HE DID IT!!! WHOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been reading people's posts as I've been updating the homepage and everyone has said pretty much what I'm feeling - it's just the icing on the cake for this second half of 2004!! When I think back to where Marat has come from - I mean he started the year at like 89th! - and now he's just gotten better and better (with a few minor hiccups along the way  ). Lets hope he can keep the momentum going into 2005! I SO wish I had been there to see him do the triple *sigh* Thanks to Stef & Damita for your reports - look forward to your photo as well!! Congrats Marat, you so deserve this win after everything you've been through this year - big big big well done!!!! ;D ;D |
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:-Anuschka-:
New Member
"Lo imposible s?lo tarda un poco m?s" (Impossible things only take a little bit longer)
Posts: 33
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Post by :-Anuschka-: on Nov 7, 2004 20:56:00 GMT 3
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!
What can I say? There are no words to describe how happy I am, the only thing that pisses me off is that the fu...ing channel cut the program when he had to receive the trophy, so I don't know what he said!! Anyone can tell me? PLEASE!! I love his speaches, and I'm dying to know what lovely and deliriously funny words he came up with this time.
GO MARAT!!! YOU'RE GONNA ROCK THE WORLD!!
Absolutely insanely happy Anuschka
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Post by Myke on Nov 7, 2004 21:02:05 GMT 3
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D WHOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! This is amazing!!!  ;D ;D ;D Congratz big guy!!! Thanks a lot Steph, for keeping me updated on the score today, you rock  And Chris, thanks too ;D Man....I need a drink And if I'm not mistaken, I'm celebrating my 500th post now too. No better way to do it, than with another title ;D |
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Post by Teresa on Nov 7, 2004 21:21:54 GMT 3
Safin seizes Paris crown From Dave James in Paris November 8, 2004 RUSSIAN sixth seed Marat Safin clinched his third Paris Masters title today, overwhelming Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the final of the 2.45 million euro ($4.17m) tournament. Only German legend Boris Becker, in 1986, 1989 and 1992, had previously won three Paris titles, while victory also gave Safin, the champion in 2000 and 2002, his 14th career crown. It was his third win of the season to follow victories in Beijing in September and at the Madrid Masters three weeks ago. "I didn't have a great middle of the year, but finally success is coming again at last," said crowd favourite Safin, who now has a 21-2 win-loss record at the event stretching back to his first appearance in 1999 when he was runner-up to Andre Agassi. "Coming to Paris, in winter and the summer, is always one the great experiences in my life and the crowds here keep tennis alive."[/quote] LOL LOL Well done Marat Well, I think Stepanek realised today what it is REALLY like to come up against Marat Safin Agence France-Presse |
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Post by MariaV on Nov 7, 2004 21:49:51 GMT 3
I'm not able to make any reasonable report so the articles have to be enough. And they seem to be pretty accurate this time. I was so nervous at the TB of the 2nd set, actually already at the beginning of the 2nd set when Marat took S's serve and immediately gave up his. I haven't been so nervous during Marat's matches for a long time! Radek was playing pretty well indeed, especially considering it was his 1st final and he had been playing quallies too. Ruth, I also hope that Marat can carry this success into the next season. I hope he can do well in Houston before that. So well done Marat and good luck in Houston!  I'm just gonna be deliriously happy for the next week! ;D PARTY TIME NOW GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Safin clinches third Paris MastersSun 7 November, 2004 17:16 (adds details, quotes) By Francois Thomazeau PARIS, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Marat Safin won the Paris Masters for a record-equalling third time when he beat Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek 6-3 7-6 6-3 on Sunday. The Russian sixth seed, playing his fourth final in Paris since 1999, emulated Germany's Boris Becker, the only other player to win a hat-trick of titles on the Parisian indoor courts. Winner of last month's Madrid Masters, the former U.S. Open champion proved he is in superb form for next week's Masters Cup in Houston. "It's easier to play here than at home because at home you have more pressure," Safin said. "I did not expect him to play that well because it was his first time in a final. He had a couple of chances to get back in the match but luck was on my side," added the Russian. The final, which lasted two hours and 19 minutes, epitomised Safin's impeccable all-round displays in the Bercy Sports Hall during the week. MAIN WEAPON The Russian's serve was his main weapon but the 24-year-old also returned to perfection and used his blistering backhand, arguably the best in the game, to keep him out of trouble. The 25-year-old Stepanek, playing his first ATP final, provided brave opposition but was overpowered and outwitted when it mattered most, especially in the second set tiebreak when he was unable to convert a set point. It was Safin's 14th career title, and his third in 2004. Safin, far more experienced than his opponent, was quicker off the mark, breaking straight away to take a 3-0 lead before going on to win the first set 6-3. He broke Stepanek's serve again in the second set to lead 2-1 before the Czech put a bandana around his hair at the break, which seemed to spur him into action. Stepanek broke back immediately and then had two break points in the next game. In the tiebreak the Czech, who had beaten Safin this year in the Kremlin Cup, looked more aggressive and took a 4-2 lead. But Safin served impressively to level the score, went 6-5 ahead on a disputed call and finally took the tiebreak 7-5. Stepanek, ranked 63rd in the world, kept fighting in the final set but Safin was far too consistent, making only 18 unforced errors in the match compared to his opponent's 48. The Czech, who won six matches in succession to reach the final, said: "It was by far the best week in my career. Now I hope there will be more."
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Post by Teresa on Nov 7, 2004 21:52:44 GMT 3
Marat said I want to go with you ......actually Marat, there are a few of us, can we all come, please  |
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Post by Myke on Nov 7, 2004 22:02:33 GMT 3
Marat said I want to go with you ......actually Marat, there are a few of us, can we all come, please Whahahaha Teresa!! ;D ;D Rdtsl! Can you picture that? Lol |
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Post by MariaV on Nov 7, 2004 22:02:39 GMT 3
LMFAO Teresa!!!!
Here's from the official site if you want it.
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Majestic Safin crowned Paris king
Paris - 07/11/04
ormer world number one Marat Safin sealed his place amongst the pantheon of all-time Paris greats on Sunday after claiming his third BNP Paribas Masters.
The 24-year-old Russian, seeded sixth here, withstood a spirited challenge from Radek Stepanek before finally breaking down the resistance of the Czech qualifier 6/3, 7/6 (5), 6/3 in two hours and nineteen minutes.
The Russian thumped 16 aces to his opponent's 10, cracked 32 winners and made 18 unforced errors to 48 to Stepanek.
"I thought it would be easier in the second set. I paid the price. Had he won the second set, it would have been a complete different story," Safin said.
"I didn't want to go five sets, especially against him. Now, I want to go back home and sleep in my bed, finally."
Marat like "BB"
With his victory, Safin, a two-time winner here in Paris (2000 and 2002), has now matched German Boris Becker as the only other player to claim three trophies here. Becker had captured the titles in 1986, 1989 and 1992. The Russian also becomes the first player to claim back-to-back indoor Masters Series crowns after winning in Madrid two weeks ago.
Stepanek, 25, was the first qualifier to reach an ATP Masters Series final since Belarussian Max Mirnyi at the Stuttgart event in 2001.
Safin raced to a 3-0 lead, breaking his opponent in the second game with a high backhand volley. He squandered two set points at 5-2 with two return errors but made sure to close out the set on his serve.
Closed with a service winner
The 7-ranked Russian carried his winning form into the second set, breaking his opponent in the third game, only to trade his delivery for the first time in the following game.
A revived Stepanek, the world No63, who was playing in his first final ever, gave the crowd plenty to sheer about when he surged 3-2. Errors began creeping into the Russian's game as Safin staved off two break points in the sixth game.
Both men held stubbornly onto their deliveries until the tie-breaker. A high-flying Stepanek burst ahead 2-0, then again 4-2 but each time Safin stormed right back to level the score. At 6-5, Safin hit a solid return Stepanek couldn't handle to build a two sets to love lead.
The feisty Czech hung tough but capitulated in the eight game when he conceded his serve.
Safin served his way out of trouble when he faced two break points and closed out the contest with a service winner.
(Araz Gulekjian)
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Post by MariaV on Nov 7, 2004 22:06:55 GMT 3
An interview with Gerard from the tourney site. Enjoy!!!!! Tsobanian: "There is something about Marat"
Paris - 07/11/04 s Marat Safin’s agent, Gérard Tsobanian is naturally very close to the Russian champion. He gives us here his insight on Safin’s recent blossoming, as well as on his relationships with his coach Peter Lundgren. How do you explain Marat Safins excellent end of season? It's the result of the hard work he started with Peter Lundgren already last April. And if the good results have only materialised now, it's because Marat needed a certain time to get to discover Peter and understand him. You know, he went through so many coaches in the past, that naturally, he was a little sceptical at first. Then he realised that Peter was easy to get along with, since he is very sincere, and Marat appreciates that. Lundgren is both coach and friend to Safin. That's right. Marat needs more than just a coach who after work would tell him good bye, see you tomorrow. He likes having someone with whom he can go and have a beer, and talk about things totally unrelated to tennis. He likes to joke around, and he can do just that with Peter who knows very well what's acceptable and what's not. He knows how to mix work and fun. It seems that with Safin, the key is the ability to motivate him. Many times in the past, he has seemed to lack this motivation. Do you agree? I don't know if it's a question of motivation. I would rather say that on those occasions, it was rather the frustration of not being able to play as well as he wished. We saw that at Wimbledon and the US Open. Motivation was there, because he had worked very hard for those events. But when he saw that he wasn't playing as well as he hoped for, he lost is composure. We have the feeling that he seems now able to compete with Roger Federer for n°1. When he's playing his very best tennis, Safin looks almost as good as Federer, doesn't he? He is as good. The players themselves say it. When Marat plays his best tennis, he is the best player in the world, and he can definitely challenge Federer. But in my opinion, it's not all to be n°1 on the court. Tennis needs personalities like Marat who give them more than just beautiful tennis. Tennis is part of show business, and people who watch matches on TV have to really enjoy their time. I think that Marat brings them this little extra which makes the difference. He is different, and tennis needs a n°1 like him. (Georges Homsi)
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Post by Teresa on Nov 7, 2004 22:07:21 GMT 3
Whahahaha Teresa!! ;D ;D Rdtsl! Can you picture that? Lol LOL Myke, hahnaha Somehow though I dont think there is anymore room in that bed..............I somehow think Marat has all the company he wants already He was so sweet in that audio Says he is going back to Moscow for a couple days , little bit of time at home to do "private" stuff errrrrmm nothing to do with tennis, and then to Houston. |
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Post by Myke on Nov 7, 2004 22:12:33 GMT 3
LOL Myke, hahnaha Somehow though I dont think there is anymore room in that bed..............I somehow think Marat has all the company he wants already He was so sweet in that audi Says he is going back to Moscow for a couple days , little bit of time at home to do "private" stuff errrrrmm nothing to do with tennis, and then to Houston. Lol, I pictured this Sesame Street bed, from Pino...a huuuge one ;D What audi? The car audi?  Well, you go right ahead Marat, do your private things, deserved that big time! And then rumble at Houston! ;D |
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Post by MariaV on Nov 7, 2004 22:12:52 GMT 3
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Post by MariaV on Nov 7, 2004 22:19:46 GMT 3
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Post by Teresa on Nov 7, 2004 22:22:58 GMT 3
Maria thanks for the interview with Gerard, big thanks. also for the other pics LOL I just cant get enough! fraid I am going to have withdrawal symptons next week I will have to get used to it, cause after Houston it will be like 8 weeks or more before we see Marat  |
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Post by Teresa on Nov 7, 2004 22:25:15 GMT 3
Lol, I pictured this Sesame Street bed, from Pino...a huuuge one ;D LOL but I dont think that is what Marat had in mind!! LOL go to the Bercy site, and click on the AUDIO and then the audio where he says....I want to sleep in my own bed, his voice is clear and sexy as always ;D MYKE....sorry I had typed audi instead of audio, so no wonder u did not know what I meant at first, I have modified ..... sorry |
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). Lets hope he can keep the momentum going into 2005! I SO wish I had been there to see him do the triple *sigh* 
I'm just gonna be deliriously happy for the next week! 
