Thailand Open 2006

[edible]

Summary:

From the first two sets and a half that I saw, Marat played well on non-crucial points but didn't convert on the very crucial points. He had the match in his hand at the beginning of the second set when Blake couldn't even get a first serve in. He did dictate a lot of the play in the first two sets but he hit some of the forehands too long. Also, his netplay wasn't that great when he did come to the net. All in all, this tournament is a stepping stone, he had to fight through all his matches and his form is starting to shape up. Good play, Marat.

Now win in Paris, Madrid, and Russia.

[SAFINNO1]

Safin eager to forget sorry season

BANGKOK (AFP) - Melancholy Marat Safin could only wallow in depression after failing to reach his first final in more than a year after falling to James Blake at the Thailand Open

After his 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) defeat Russia's former world No. 1 admitted this season, which has been plagued by knee injury, is one to forget.

"I want to just try and finish this year and forget about it," said the world ranked No. 55 who has hauled himself up from the depths of 104 just a few months ago.

Safin, 26, is haunted by memories of his glory days, when he won the 2000 US Open title and followed up last year with the Australian Open crown, defeating Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

But after playing a final in Halle, Germany, against Federer 15 months ago, Safin's volatile career started down the slippery slope as knee tendinitis set in.

Rehabilitation has been a slow road, with the Russian losing three semi-finals in 2006.

And the frustration is growing.

"I want to be seeded for the Australian Open," he said before leaving Bangkok Saturday. "I want to start over from scratch in 2007.

"I suppose I can be pleased that I've taken my ranking back, but I really have no expectations now.

"I don't believe that something will just suddenly click and my best game will return.

"I've had some chances this season, but luck has not been on my side."

Safin, who won back-to-back Madrid and Paris Bercy Masters titles in 2004, said that his season has been one of "mis-information and mis-communication on and off the court."

As to his return to estranged Swedish coach Peter Lundgren, the enigmatic Russian only smiled and shook his head, indicating that the pair remain on the outs.

"I have nothing to say for this season," said the 26-year-old, a modest 24-19 in 2006 aftrer returning to court in February. "It's been a disaster."

[bia2209]

Compared to where we were this time a year ago, I think we can all agree that Marat has come a very long way indeed. HIs tennis is slowly but surely putting itself back in place. He has nothing to lose between now and the end of the season, no points to defend. So he should be able to relax and just play.

He'll be able to work well during the winter and hopefully AO 2007 will be the the starting board for a whole new part of his career. He's always liked playing there so...in the meantime i want to savor every minute of having him back on the courts, racket breaking and all.

[safinbgfan]

So sorry for Marat Anyway,it was a good tournament

Thanks for all photos!!!

[Chachou]

Bigger

[lau]

safinno1 said:

Safin eager to forget sorry season

BANGKOK (AFP) - Melancholy Marat Safin could only wallow in depression after failing to reach his first final in more than a year after falling to James Blake at the Thailand Open

After his 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) defeat Russia's former world No. 1 admitted this season, which has been plagued by knee injury, is one to forget.

"I want to just try and finish this year and forget about it," said the world ranked No. 55 who has hauled himself up from the depths of 104 just a few months ago.

Safin, 26, is haunted by memories of his glory days, when he won the 2000 US Open title and followed up last year with the Australian Open crown, defeating Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

But after playing a final in Halle, Germany, against Federer 15 months ago, Safin's volatile career started down the slippery slope as knee tendinitis set in.

Rehabilitation has been a slow road, with the Russian losing three semi-finals in 2006.

And the frustration is growing.

"I want to be seeded for the Australian Open," he said before leaving Bangkok Saturday. "I want to start over from scratch in 2007.

"I suppose I can be pleased that I've taken my ranking back, but I really have no expectations now.

"I don't believe that something will just suddenly click and my best game will return.

"I've had some chances this season, but luck has not been on my side."

Safin, who won back-to-back Madrid and Paris Bercy Masters titles in 2004, said that his season has been one of "mis-information and mis-communication on and off the court."

As to his return to estranged Swedish coach Peter Lundgren, the enigmatic Russian only smiled and shook his head, indicating that the pair remain on the outs.

"I have nothing to say for this season," said the 26-year-old, a modest 24-19 in 2006 aftrer returning to court in February. "It's been a disaster."

chachou said:

[marats]

Thanks all for the info and great pics !

[safinette]

Awww he sounds so down and I think that this was a really good tournament for him. CHEER UP MARAT!

[Marie]

Just woke up, it's 1:24 in the afternoon here in Florida. I had a restless sleep since I was worried about the outcome of this match. Some consolations to take away from this are:

1. He got deep into yet another tournament
2. He's slowly but surely making his way back
3. He's earned more points for his ranking
4. He's winning tough matches
5. He's injury-free

As for him and Mr. Lundgren...in my opinion, I honestly don't think they'll get back together. It seems very likely that he'll take the job with the LTA; they seem to really want him to work for them.

Thanks for all of the info and the photos!

[Marie]

More quotes from Jamesy and Marat:

Blake paid tribute to Safin after his hard-fought victory.

"When he's on his best he can give everyone fits. I had to weather the storm," Blake said.

Safin was frustrated at losing his match lead and falling short of the final, smashing a racket after he was broken for the first time at 2-2 in the second set.

"It slipped away," said the 26-year-old.

"I was up a break in the third and it slipped away, he broke back and then the tiebreak was a disaster.

"I was so close to being in the final. This is the third time this year it's happened like this for me. I wish I could break through that barrier."


Article courtesy of news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5394734.stm

From CNN.com:

"It was a close match and I thought I had a chance, but he's playing like he's top 10 in the world again," said Blake.

"In the first and third set he was back to the player that beat Roger Federer. I really had to weather the storm and come through in the third set tiebreak."

[safinbgfan]

Thanks very much,Marie!

[love15]

thank you for the articles and pictures guys
Im positive he will start the next year well, i know he will go great in the AO, i can feel it ! ! ! its true, he just has to do what he can and then forget about the troubles and start afresh. this is a guy thats never stable and always looking for and needing change, so i agree with Marie, i dont think Peter is comming back either.

[Jasmine]

So sad to see Marat lost to James.
Anyway, I'm glad that he's here in Bangkok, and surround by people who loves him.

Wish to see you again next year. And also wait to see you success in TMC Madrid and Bercy...

Love you, Marat...

[yse]

www.inside-tennis.net/index2.php?action=news&id=1969&ds=James%20Blake

[glow=red,2,300]Blake beats Safin in final set breaker[/glow]

James Blake will contest the final of the Thailand Open after beating Marat Safin 3-6 6-4 7-6(3) in 2 hours and 4 minutes of pulsating tennis.

Although Blake had won their last encounter in Moscow last week in a dead rubber on clay, the Russian former world number 1 came into the match 2-1 up in their head to head record.

Safin got off to the better start, bossing the American from the back of the court with his heavy groundstrokes, and making successful advances to the net to break Blake for a 3-1 lead.

Blake missed 2 break point opportunities in Safin’s next service game, and then conceded the set after 25 minutes when he dropped his serve once more in the final game going long with his forehand.

Safin was looking the more secure off the ground as the second set got under way and briefly threatened to take complete control of the match when he held break point in the 4th game. However, a backhand into the net snuffed out that opportunity and Blake went on to hold for parity at 2-2.

The next game proved to be pivotal as both men wrestled for control. From 15-40 down, Safin fought his way back to deuce with a forehand smash and an ace. After earning two game points, Safin had to fend off two further break points; the American prevailing on his 4th break point when the unseeded Russian went long on his forehand off a deep Blake return of serve.

Safin earned himself a code violation as he smashed his racquet three times into shreds in complete disgust. Blake was back into the match, but had to save a break point when serving for the set at 5-4; he closed it out eventually on his 4th set point when Safin went marginally wide with a forehand drive.

Safin achieved the first break opportunity on Blake’s opening service game of the final set, but blew his chance with a mishit forehand that ballooned into the stands. He did not waste his opportunities in Blake's next service game, creating 0-40 with some excellent return of serves, breaking when Blake went long on the forehand.

Just when the Russian must have felt that he had wrestled control of the match, he found himself 0-40 down in the next game; he bravely fought off the first two, defending from the baseline like a terrier, but Blake got the break back on the 3rd when Safin’s backhand went long.

Serving at 5-5, Safin found himself a break point down courtesy of a Blake running forehand crosscourt pass, and duly dropped serve going long on the forehand.

Safin was not done yet though. As Blake served for the match, the mercurial Russian Davis Cup hero raised his game once more to earn himself a 15-40 lead. With an exquisite forehand volley drop shot, he forced a final set breaker to the delight of the partisan crowd who have come to adore the Russian, good or bad.

Blake soon silenced the crowd; storming into a 4-0 lead with some solid play, he held 5 match points at 6-1 before closing it out 7-3 with a service winner.

“The two games I tried to serve it out in the 2nd and 3rd set I felt like he was back to the player that beat (Roger) Federer in Australia a couple of years ago. He made it seem like you’re at his mercy”, Blake said.

“He played great those two games and I just tried to weather the storm. I felt like I had more matches than him this year. It’s tough for him coming back from his injury.”

Blake felt that he could relate to Safin’s frustration at losing matches when in a winning position after suffering the same fate when coming back from his injury plagued year of 2004:
“It won’t take him as long to come back; he’s got so much talent, so much game. Before he knows it he’ll be back in the winners circle again”, Blake promised.

Blake will now face Ivan Ljubicic in the final after the top seeded Croat beat local Thai favourite Paradorn Srichaphan in straight sets:
“I’ve never beaten Ljubicic. Played him three times, the last two were very close, but it seems like he out serves me every time. If I can get a look at some serves, some 2nd serves, I’ll take my chances on those and you never know. He’s an excellent player, number 3 in the world.”

Safin’s disappointment at losing a match that he could so easily have won was plain for all to see and hear. However, he was cheered by the news of Blake’s compliment that he felt the Russian was playing like a Top 10 player:

“Really? Yeah…If he says so then I guess he knows better. He’s in the top 10 so he should know better as I’m pretty far out”, Safin said.

“But I had my chances; I’ve lost a lot of matches this year where I was leading like today that slipped away. If I had won half the matches that I should have won then I would already be in the top 10.”

Safin’s depressing summary of his year got even darker:
“This year has been a disaster in many ways. I’ve had to deal with a lot of problems inside and outside of the court. My ranking is coming up slowly so I’m trying to finish this year on a good note and then forget about this year.”

“I don’t have expectations for this year. I don’t believe that something will turn around and just click to create a new story; I don’t expect that. There has been a lot of miscommunication, a lot of misunderstanding, something missing. A lot of problems; I don’t feel like luck is on my side. It’s tough.”

So does that mean Marat that you will not work with Peter Lundgren again this year?

“I don’t know.”

ANDRE JONES
Impact Stadium
Bangkok

[Annie]

They must have caught him in a REALLY bad time