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Post by MariaV on Jan 17, 2005 17:49:16 GMT 3
Safin enjoys best start to grand slam
Mon Jan 17, 2005 12:41 PM GMT
By Simon Cambers
MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Twice runner-up Marat Safin enjoyed his best start to a grand slam campaign on Monday as he beat Serb qualifier Novak Djokovic 6-0 6-2 6-1 to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
The fourth-seeded Russian was at his powerful best as he outclassed the 17-year-old Djokovic, storming to victory in just 74 minutes under the lights in Rod Laver Arena.
Safin, beaten by Roger Federer in the final last year and by Thomas Johansson in 2002, looked sharp from the start and his big-hitting all-round game proved too much for the world number 188.
"Two times in the final, it's too disappointing to think about," Safin said. "But hopefully I'll have a chance to be in the final a third time and hopefully this year."
Twelve months ago, Safin beat Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi in two epic five-set battles on his way to the final, only to run out of steam as Federer swept him aside in straight sets.
"I am trying to spend as little time on the court as possible as you never know when you are going to have to end up playing more," he said.
"Basically it's better to be fresh."
Djokovic showed signs of potential and Safin said he had not taken anything for granted despite a gap of 184 places between them in the world rankings.
"You have to be really careful with these upcoming young players," he said. "When they have a chance to play in front of a huge crowd, they basically have nothing to lose.
"I told him that he's going to be a great player, and I wish him all the best."
The former U.S. Open champion now plays Czech Bohdan Ulihrach in the second round.
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Jan 17, 2005 19:28:14 GMT 3
Damn i really wanted to watch it but i had to go school.
Anyway sounds like he played a good game, well done Marat and hopefully he will continue his run.
BTW i had that t-shirt brought for me at christmas, the 1 marat is wearing.
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Jan 17, 2005 20:11:22 GMT 3
Australian Open usually brings out best in Safin
MELBOURNE, Australia -- There's something about the Australian Open that brings out the best in Marat Safin.
The mercurial Russian, who began last year's Open ranked just 77th after an injury-plagued 2003, started his comeback to his current No. 4 spot here, reaching the final for the second time in three years before losing to Roger Federer.
Safin then opened 2005 with an 0-6 record in singles at the Hopman Cup in three singles and three mixed doubles matches. But he suddenly turned things around again just in time for the start of the year's first Grand Slam, schooling 17-year-old Serbian qualifier Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 Monday night in just an hour and 14 minutes.
"I find myself comfortable here," Safin said. "The court suits me. I love the stadium. It's a great city. Basically, you have a good time."
There was also a very real purpose to the quick drubbing. Safin played 27 sets in six matches spanning more than 18 grueling hours last year before the final. He had little energy left for Federer and was ousted in straight sets.
"I try to spend less time on the court," Safin said. "It's better to be fresh."
Taking the court a few hours after his 18-year-old sister Dinara Safina won her opening match, he looked fresh from the start on a chilly night before a near-capacity crowd, allowing Djokovic only eight points in the first set. He ran off five straight games to end both the second and third sets, and had stretches of 16 and 11 points in a row.
While Safin is a crowd favorite here -- a half-dozen Russians shouted encouragement and a trio of women held up signs proclaiming their love for him -- the fans switched to the underdog Djokovic, led by about a dozen Serbs waving their national flags, tooting whistles and honking a horn.
Safin said he enjoyed the energy and the soccer stadium-like atmosphere.
"It's really good for tennis," he said. "It's entertainment."
Safin gave his rival's fans little to cheer about, though, allowing Djokovic, ranked only 188th, just four winners. One of the biggest ovations of the night came after Djokovic held serve for the first time to start the second set.
But mostly, Djokovic's 120 mph serves came zinging back even faster. Perfect position at the net only meant cross-court passes from Safin at seemingly impossible angles. After one went zipping by, Djokovic -- already given to muttering to himself -- buried his head in his arm on the net.
Three necklaces dangling constantly, Safin had an answer for everything, mixing powerful serves with nasty spins and deft volleys. Soon, even the people who had been cheering for Djokovic to extend the match were applauding Safin's shot-making skills.
By the time it was over, he had piled up 83 points to just 24 for Djokovic.
"You have to be careful with these young players," Safin explained of his no mercy approach. "They have nothing to lose."
As they shook hands at the net, Djokovic apologized for not being more competitive, Safin said.
"The guy tried everything," Safin said. "I just told him he's going to be a great player."
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Post by Andrada on Jan 17, 2005 20:33:44 GMT 3
Damita,thanks for the 'dedicated' photo!  I wonder what he has in his left hand... ;D Safinno1,u must be really proud of your T-shirt! ;D Enjoy wearing it! ;D |
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Post by Andrada on Jan 17, 2005 20:56:53 GMT 3
Don't know if this address was posted here,so i'll post it...http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/interactive/tv/20050116.html It is a video interview of Marat! The interviewer really annoyed me,and it seemed he also annoyed Marat  ,(although Marat didn't really show this)but our guy gave some answers that i think will make the interviewer take more care at the questions he will ask Marat in the future! Anyway,Marat's replies were really spontaneous and intelligent! ;D |
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Post by me on Jan 17, 2005 21:07:40 GMT 3
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Post by Damita on Jan 17, 2005 23:38:06 GMT 3
Don't know if this address was posted here,so i'll post it...http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/interactive/tv/20050116.html It is a video interview of Marat! The interviewer really annoyed me,and it seemed he also annoyed Marat ,(although Marat didn't really show this)but our guy gave some answers that i think will make the interviewer take more care at the questions he will ask Marat in the future! Anyway,Marat's replies were really spontaneous and intelligent! ;D ROTFL ;D thanks Andrada for that link and as you said, i think the next time this journalist will make an itw of Marat he'll try tand think a bit! ;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 Jan 17, 2005 23:56:57 GMT 3
OMG! I found thew interview absolutely hilarious!! Did you notice the way our poor Marat was trying to get rid of the mosquitos? ;D The interviewer was a complete jerk, asking stupid things, but I really liked the way Mr. Safin answered...  . And the huge ;D at the end... the way he shakes hands with the guy... hahaha, still laughing (was it funny or am I kinda crazy?) |
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Post by christina on Jan 17, 2005 23:58:29 GMT 3
what the f*ck? my eyes decieving me? a bagel? mr safin feeling owkeej? i mean seriosuly i came out of my exam and read my sms from steph (thanks darlin ) and nearly fainted in the lockers....6-0 5-2 at that point, and then my grandad decided he wanted to go the supermarket and marat was demolishing djokovic so i didn't see the match live but watched the 2 sets that ES showed twice and it was goowd....i mean, djokovic he's gonna be good in the future...and soooooo cute (BUIKPLUIS MIEKE), i almost ended up wanting him to win  and his fans...*thumps up dudes* but yeah, as jo durie (commentator) said, everything marat did was bigger, better, faster...and the other commentator sed that marat was just too strong, too much experience, too good basically.....everything he did had authority behind it, yeah the first serve needs improving  but OMG that FH off djokovics serve, cross court....u just wanted to faint, it was amazing, even my mum put down the paper and clapped! ;D no idea what marat said to djokovic at the net but they were all smiley and happy together, and djokovic appeared to really enjoy the experience ;D pics from gotennis.com ;D (btw im liking the new shirt, don't like the collarless version djokovic was wearing to start with but the one marat was wearing *thumbs up*)    i had to watch the d*mn cricket before i could watch the match, which normally i would have screamed and shouted about but it was cool cos england won.....*barmy army barmy army barmy army barmy army barmy army*  ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Damita on Jan 18, 2005 0:33:31 GMT 3
what the f*ck? my eyes decieving me? a bagel? mr safin feeling owkeej? i mean seriosuly i came out of my exam and read my sms from steph (thanks darlin ) and nearly fainted in the lockers.... LOL. if i had imagined that would have this effect on you i wouldn't have smsed you ;D well, just what's written on the article above;) one apologized for not being competitive enough (which i find very sweet, and very sad), and the other answering "you'll be good in the future". |
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Post by christina on Jan 18, 2005 0:48:38 GMT 3
LOL. if i had imagined that would have this effect on you i wouldn't have smsed you ;D no really, it was goowd that u did otherwise i wouldnt have coped with having to stop @ the supermarket see, that is why i should read articles, but i was honestly too tired and too preoccupied with marats fineness tonight |
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Post by Vassily on Jan 18, 2005 1:41:41 GMT 3
Don't know if this address was posted here,so i'll post it...http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/interactive/tv/20050116.html It is a video interview of Marat! The interviewer really annoyed me,and it seemed he also annoyed Marat ,(although Marat didn't really show this)but our guy gave some answers that i think will make the interviewer take more care at the questions he will ask Marat in the future! Anyway,Marat's replies were really spontaneous and intelligent! ;D Marat was great! I liked the ending: "you get this reputation..." Marat: "because of people like you"! Vamos Marat! way to go... I hated this reporter from the moment I saw him, and it got even worse when he mentioned the women, so I liked the way Marat handled him. |
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Post by MariaV on Jan 18, 2005 1:53:52 GMT 3
Marat was great! I liked the ending: "you get this reputation..." Marat: "because of peopel liek you"! Vamos Marat! way to go... I hated this reporter from the moment I saw him, and it got even worse when he mentioned the women, so I liked the way Marat handled him. Totally agree with you Vass! I liked the way Marat handled him too!  |
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Post by Damita on Jan 18, 2005 2:31:11 GMT 3
Marat was great! I liked the ending: "you get this reputation..." Marat: "because of peopel liek you"! Vamos Marat! way to go... I hated this reporter from the moment I saw him, and it got even worse when he mentioned the women, so I liked the way Marat handled him. yeah i like that part too! and i wonder who were the persons Marat's looking at...but they were obviously laughing at that stupid guy too ;D that's cruel, muahahahahaha  he soooooooo deserved it anyway!  way to go Marat!  |
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Post by tall_one on Jan 18, 2005 3:06:07 GMT 3
Friendly banter
Marat Safin gave former Australian Open champion Jim Courier some good-natured razzing when Courier interviewed the Russian at the Australian Open on Monday.
Courier, a four-time major champion who'll be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in July, is working for Australia's Seven television network. Courier replaced John McEnroe.
"Actually, he's better than McEnroe at these things," Safin told the center court crowd after beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
Courier gave some ribbing back by asking Safin about his performance at the Hopman Cup team event two weeks ago, where Safin went 0-6 in singles and mixed doubles.
Safin responded: "Did you have to bring that up?"
And Safin jokingly chastised Courier for reminding him that he's been a losing finalist here twice in the past three years.
"It's too disappointing to think about," Safin said.
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I wonder what he has in his left hand... ;D
,(although Marat didn't really show this)but our guy gave some answers that i think will make the interviewer take more care at the questions he will ask Marat in the future! Anyway,Marat's replies were really spontaneous and intelligent! ;D
.
and his fans...*thumps up dudes* but yeah, as jo durie (commentator) said, everything marat did was bigger, better, faster...and the other commentator sed that marat was just too strong, too much experience, too good basically.....everything he did had authority behind it, yeah the first serve needs improving 
but OMG that FH off djokovics serve, cross court....u just wanted to faint, it was amazing, even my mum put down the paper and clapped! 
