A great article about today's match from
www.sph.com.auA Brain Teaser for Mark and Marat
Forget the rankings, the winner of Safin versus Philippoussis will be the player who uses his head, writes Richard Hinds in London.
Even for those desperates who might have been tempted to take the 20-1 available about the Queen wearing a brown hat to Royal Ascot - amazingly, the questionable fashion item duly saluted - or who spend their time scouring the form guide looking for a sure thing at Dapto, there are some things that are definitively labelled "Non-betting propositions".
Into this category falls Wednesday's second-round Wimbledon showdown between two of the game's most powerful, enigmatic and entertaining players ;D ;D ;D, Marat Safin and Mark Philippoussis. It is, if reputation prevails, a clash in which the only certainty is that the backdrops at either end will take a hammering.
In the match between the Australian grasscourt specialist trying to rebuild his career and the recently rejuvenated Russian, who has apparently overcome his disdain for the only surface that requires mowing, anyone who thinks they know which player has the advantage in physical conditioning and form will surely be left clueless trying to work out whose mind will be fully on the job.
Both players were impressive in setting up a match that, but for Philippoussis's dramatic slide down the world rankings, would normally have been played in the second week. After a hesitant start, the Australian's big serve overwhelmed the tricky Slovak Karol Beck, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2, while Safin's improved confidence on the grass was evident in his 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 demolition of Thai Paradorn Srichaphan.
It is a rare occurrence when you can call a match between a man ensconced in the top 10 (Safin) and an opponent with a triple-digit ranking line-ball. But on this surface and with Philippoussis seemingly rejuvenated that is what this is. Indeed, given he has played in a final here and Safin has not been past the second round in four years, the Australian may even have slight favouritism.
"I feel pretty comfortable on this surface," Philippoussis said. "But he's definitely - after what I've seen - looking like he's getting more comfortable on this surface; definitely finding his game a little more out there."
As he had said before the tournament, the major key to Safin's improvement on grass is simply his willingness to take it on. Having surprised himself by getting to the final on grass in Halle, Germany, two weeks ago, he is suddenly attacking his matches in the same ballistic style that took him to US and Australian Open titles, rather than trying to slip around, pat the ball back and occasionally take a stab at a volley.
So relaxed did Safin look in his victory over Srichaphan he did not attempt to break a single racquet - something he admits can be tricky on grass.
"You hurt the ground before you hurt the racquet, that's for sure," he said.
If there is any slight psychological advantage, it might fall to Philippoussis, given his opponent does not seem to rate his comeback highly. With Philippoussis's first-round match still in progress, Safin was asked what he thought about having to play the former Wimbledon finalist. Somewhat disdainfully, he said he had warmed up with Beck in the morning and fancied the Slovak's chances. Wrong on that score.
Just who has the physical edge is hard to decide. Safin is playing on a sore knee that will require surgery after the tournament. Philippoussis came in on a limited preparation and still wears a support on the ankle he injured in Florida in April.
However, with his serve humming in the final stages against Beck and his court coverage looking sharp, the Australian claims there is no reason he can't go five sets. "Definitely, definitely," he said when asked if he was ready to go the grand slam distance. "I feel pretty strong out there. I've worked pretty hard off the court, I've been pulling up well last week, after those matches [in Holland]. I'm feeling pretty good now."
For two players not renowned for their settled off-court lives, Philippoussis and Safin are also both pictures of contentment. Philippoussis was watched by his fiancee Alexis Barbara, father Nick and coach Andrew Florent, while, even more encouragingly, Safin was not watched by anyone with blonde hair - a change from the days when a full courtside box seemed to detract from his on-court performance. ;D
The prospects of a second early-round classic were averted when the American James Blake lost his first-round match. That meant Lleyton Hewitt would play Czech Jan Hernych instead of Blake, with whom he has had some memorable encounters.
Judging by his early form, however, it would probably would not matter who he played - apart from Roger Federer - at the moment. Unusually, the highlight of Hewitt's opening-round straight-sets victory over Christophe Rochus was the 19 aces he smashed past the Belgian.
Already, Hewitt looks to be easing his way into the tournament - although in the prickly, combative way that seems to suit him best. Asked about his controversial relegation to the third seeding behind Andy Roddick, he allowed only that he was disappointed, but that "I will let my racquet do the talking".
While he and his camp continue to remain tight-lipped, you get the feeling that against Hernych, and well beyond, that racquet won't shut up.
