Marat Safin plays Davis Cup 1st round on Friday

Marat Safin representing The Russian team plays Victor Crivoi representing the Romanian team on Friday 06 march in Romania.

here's an EXCLUSIVE interview recording for Marat on the draw day

click here to listen

The full draw for the weekend is as follows:

Friday
Victor Crivoi (ROU) v Marat Safin (RUS)
Victor Hanescu (ROU) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

Saturday
Marius Copil/Horia Tecau (ROU) v Teimuraz Gabashvili/Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)

Sunday
Victor Hanescu (ROU) v Marat Safin (RUS)
Victor Crivoi (ROU) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

Two-time Grand Slam Champion Safin will open the proceedings on Friday against Victor Crivoi
for whom this will be only his fourth Davis Cup match. But his lack of Davis Cup experience and the almost 100 ranking places difference between the two did not seem to concern the Romanian. Outcomes in Davis Cup are not always as predictable as they seem on paper and Crivoi is certainly going into the tie with the right attitude, despite the fact that he also has to deal with the pressure of being the first on court.

But he seemed to be at ease even with this minor obstacle, stressing that he was in fact “happy to go first,” a point which his captain also reinforced. “Hanescu has a lot more experience in Davis Cup and so he knows how to deal with different kinds of pressure but for Crivoi it is best to just go in there and not have to sit around much before that.” said Pavel the romanian coach.

Marat Safin in Dubai Barclays Duty free

Marat Safin has been given a wild card entry to Barclays Dubai tennis championship.

Safin reached the final here in 2001 before having to retire against Juan Carlos Ferrero with injury, and he has since struggled to repeat that success. In his four appearances since then he has failed to advance beyond the second round, but he has shown good form recently, with a final in Moscow in October and a fine performance against Roger Federer at the Australian Open suggesting he can still be a threat to anyone.

An interesting first-round clash will see Russia’s Marat Safin take on Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Ranked 26 and 27 in the world respectively, the two couldn’t be more closely matched. Safin, who had to reply on a wild card to participate in the tournament, has the superior record of three wins to Gasquet’s one, when the two have gone head to head in the past. He will, however, be hoping to avoid emulating his sister’s performance in Dubai this year – the world number two, Dinara Safina having crashed out in her first match of the tournament, after being handed a bye in the first round.

Federer, Safin 3rd round clash in the australian open 2009

After winning his 1st 2 rounds, Marat Safin (2005 champion) will face Roger Federer world no.2 in the 3rd round of the Australian open.

The match is scheduled today, thursday 22/01 at 10 a.m. GMT.

Roger Federer and Marat Safin earned easy victories Wednesday to reach the Australian Open's third round, where the familiarity factor will be much higher: They'll play each other.

“I'm happy to be playing Marat; we have fought some battles,” Roger Federer said after ousting error-prone Evgeny Korolev of Russia 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 in just 86 minutes. “We had the epic in 2005.”

That was a semifinal thriller here that Marat Safin won in a 9-7 fifth set en route to the championship. Federer, seeking to tie Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles, has won their last three meetings, including the last two at Wimbledon.

Although Federer's No. 2 ranking is 24 places higher, Safin's talent, unpredictability and famed volatility set the stage for an early marquee matchup.

Safin, a former world No. 1, beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-5, 6-2, 6-2. He will turn 29 next week and has said he is unlikely to play after this year, so he's trying to enjoy what could be his farewell tour.

“I have nothing to lose,” Safin said. “I'm going to go for it. Whatever comes, comes. He knows how to play against me; I know how to play against him.”

Marat Safin decided to play again in 2009 starting with Hopman Cup

Marat Safin who contemplated retirement after a disappointing loss during the last season, has decided to prolong his career for at least another year. he finally decided to continue playing tennis in 2009.
he will be starting the year with the prestigious Hyundai Hopman cup in Perth Australia with his sister Dinara Safina.

“I’m pleased to confirm my participation in Hopman Cup. It will be special to play with my sister, and I hope we can challenge for the Trophy”, Safin said.

Marat Safin and Dinara Safina would team up for the first time to form the second team in the tournament.

The Russians will be the number two seed.

Safin also decided to play in the Australian open where he will be seeded 29th.

Hopman Cup takes place 3-9 January 2009

link to full schedule

Marat twists his ankle and cancels his exhibition game with Djokovic

Marat vs. Djokovic december 13th exhibition match at st. Anton Austria was cancelled!
The Russian twisted his ankle 3 days ago and had to seek treatment.
Marat traveled to valencia to treat his ankle and the doctor says he should be fine within a week.
the news was announced only today despite the fact that Marat was injured days ago.
Tipsaravic the Serb jumped in to replace Marat Safin in the match against Novak Djokovic.

Marat Safin announces Retiring from tennis!

Marat Safin, one of the most colorful figures in tennis, said on Monday he was considering his future in the game after his first round loss at the Paris Masters Series.

Marat Safin has confirmed he is considering retiring from tennis after his season ended in the first round of the Paris Masters.

Former world number one Safin stumbled out of the final Masters Series event when he lost 6-0 7-6 (7-4) against Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco in the first round on Monday.

And the 28-year-old Russian told reporters he needs to think over his future in the sport after criticising the lack of time off available to players.

"I need to enjoy my life without tennis, I will see if I continue," Safin said.

"I need to think it through. I will see, it was too intense these last three years. We will see. I have no pressure, nothing to show, nothing to prove.

"If I feel like I want to continue to play I will - if not it will be over."

The Russian, who won the Paris indoor tournament three times, picked up his game too late to unsettle Monaco, who will next meet French 16th seed Gael Monfils.

Safin lost the first eight games and notably served four double faults in a single game as Monaco was cantering through the match.

The former U.S. and Australian Open champion got himself together when 2-0 down in the second set, and double faults turned into aces.

Safin broke back for 2-2 and both players then held serve until the tiebreak, which Monaco took 7-4 when Safin sent a forehand long.

"I had my opportunities but unfortunately it was a bit too late already because the guy started to play well and started to feel much more comfortable on the court," said Safin.

"I just don't know what happened. I just couldn't find my rhythm. I didn't take my chances," the two-time Grand Slam winner added.

"I didn't take my chances, that's why the score is 6-0 7-6."

Safin will not improve his position in the rankings and it is no secret he does not feel comfortable with the situation.

"It's a little bit uncomfortable to find yourself in the top 10 for many years and (then) to find yourself ranked 70th and 30 and 50 and outside of the hundreds," he said.

"It's not really a comfortable position.

"I've been struggling throughout my career with injuries, left and right," he added, referring to knee injuries that hampered his 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Although he does not yet know whether he will play professional tennis next year, Safin already knows where he will spend his holidays.

"Yeah, I'm already flying to Miami," he said.

Paris Masters last stop before Shanghai

This week's Paris Masters will complete the jigsaw of who lands the final three berths for the season-ending Tennis Masters Shanghai.

World No.1 Rafael Nadal and the man he displaced, Roger Federer, have already booked their tickets for China and Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Nikolai Davydenko are also guaranteed places.

But the remaining slots are up for grabs, ensuring a denouement in the City of Light.

A group of players, led by American Andy Roddick, are pressing for those final positions though French world No.12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga saw his hopes take a dive on Saturday in losing the Lyon semi-final to compatriot Julien Benneteau.

Another Frenchman, Gilles Simon, is also sweating having gone into the weekend in eighth slot only to bow out in Lyon to Swede Robin Soderling.

Simon would have caught up Roddick and would also have leapfrogged Basel losing semi-finalist Juan Martin del Potro had he won in Lyon but now his hopes of a Chinese sojourn hang in the balance.

One man who says he prefers to concentrate on the Davis Cup final rather than head for Shanghai is Argentine star David Nalbandian, who wants to help push his country over the line for the first time in their history against Spain in Mar del Plata.

Nalbandian has a busy schedule as it is, having reached the Basel final where he was Sunday out for a second Swiss title and going toe to toe with Federer, who was on a hat-trick of triumphs in his homeland.

At the Davis Cup final, to be played in Mar del Plata in four weeks' time, the 26-year-old will at least be able to cease hostilities with teammate Del Potro, whom he despatched 6-4 6-4 in Basel on Saturday.

Del Potro has enjoyed a sensational season to date, but Saturday's reverse means he requires a solid showing in Paris as he has not just Simon but also David Ferrer and James Blake breathing down his neck.

As the winner of four straight titles over the summer admitted in Basel: "I'm tired, both mentally and physically.

"It has been tough for me. I really want to make the Masters Cup and win the Davis Cup."

Murray will hope to show that his run of success this season will continue in Paris and erase disappointing memories of his last visit - a third-round French Open loss to Spaniard Nicolas Amalgro.

Murray, who kicked on from his Madrid Masters victory with another fine run in St Petersburg, admitted post-Madrid that he was a long way behind the top three. But with his season finale assured he can enjoy Paris and then focus on a Chinese coronation.

With the Davis Cup and Shanghai attracting the focus of so many of the top stars at this time of year, Paris has struggled on occasion to attract a gold-plated field, which is a source of concern to the hosts, not least with Davydenko an injury doubt.

Marat safin dominates st. Petersburg court

Marat safin won his first round in St. Petersburg in singles and doubles with Igor kunitsyn.

Marat beat sykhofsky 6 - 2, 6-4 in straight sets today on center court.

A bizarre end to Marat's First Round in Moscow!

The match had a bizarre end when Safin broke Okun to take the match 6-4 in the third.
However, Safin mistakenly thought it was 6-5, and a change over.
So after securing the break, the Russian went to his chair and began to towel off.
Eventually chair umpire Carlos Bernardes leaned over and informed Safin the match was over.
The somewhat embarrassed Safin quickly went to the net and shared a laugh with Okun while they shook hands.

Safin Clinches 400th Win

Former ATP World No. 1 Marat Safin claimed his 400th career win Tuesday at his hometown event, the ATP Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Safin, 28, converted just two of 10 break point opportunities against Israeli Noam Okun, but it was enough to earn a 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4 win in 2 hr., 5 min.

Safin has not won an ATP title since claiming a second Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open in January 2005. He last reached a final two years ago, here at the Kremlin Cup. Safin failed to win consecutive matches through the first four months of the season but turned things around at Wimbledon, where he reached the semifinals (lost to Federer).

Safin begins quest for 500

2008 has been a typically enigmatic season for Safin, highlighted by commanding wins over the likes of Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych, and that run to the Wimbledon semis, but also frittered with losses to the likes of Bobby Reynolds and Phillip Petzschner (in Bangkok last week).

Marat safin a devoted supporter of kremlin cup!

Now with his win over Davydenko too, Safin on the run for his quest for 500!

Marat safin advances to Quarter Final

Marat Safin in action playing Julienne Benneteu in kremlin cup, Moscow

The Russian made it today!

Marat Safin won Julienne Benneteau 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 in second round of the Kremlin Cup.

congratulations on the consecutive match win Marat!

Marat is to play Nikolay Davydenko in quarter final.
Nikolay Davydenko has truly established himself in the record books at this tournament. He's the two-time defending champion and going for a fourth crown in the Russian capital.

He's been looking like a potential champion again this week, sweeping aside Florent Serra and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez without dropping a set. Garcia-Lopez was allowed just two games.

Safin, in contrast, has been pushed all the way by Noam Okun and Julien Benneteau. Safin's round-one match with Okun was so tight that Safin himself lost track of the score and didn't realize he'd won when the moment came! On Thursday he had to fight back from a mental lapse in the second set which saw him get bageled 6-0.

Marat safin won Noam Okun

Marat Safin upset the qualifier Noam Okun of Israel in the first roud of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

Safin won 7.6(5) 3.6 6.4.

Marat Safin is playing Julien Benneteau the Frenchman in second round.

Link to match statistics
Link to the Draw

Long way to Bangkok!

Thailand open tournament

Former world number one Marat Safin of Russia opens his bid today against Philipp Petzschner of Germany. The Russian still felt jet lag after a long trip.

"Yesterday (Sunday) I flew more than 20 hours to arrive in Thailand. I still feel tired and very sleepy," Safin said after his first training session.

Marat lost to Phillip Petzschner(GER) 4.6 6.7(4).

Safin had little to offer in defeat after last playing in the second round of the US Open. The disgusted Russian was burdened with 33 unforced errors as Petzschner notched a dozen aces and 13 winners.

'I didn't feel comfortable on the court, it's just the way I was today,' said the former number one.

'I didn't play well, nothing happened for me out there. It's my job to play tennis and I didn't do it well today.'

Hope playing the doubles is better!

1st Rd: Marat/Mischa Zverev(GER) play Simon Aspelin(SWE)/Julian Knowle(AUT)

Marat After The Loss. "I need to go home"

"Sometimes you have a good day, sometimes you have a bad day," the 2000 champion said. "Today I was struggling."

"If I would have won the second set, I should have won the match probably," said the former world number one who also triumphed at the 2005 Australian Open before tumbling down the rankings to his current number 44.

Safin, 28, battled the Spaniard on serve in the third set before errors began to seep into his game and Robredo broke him in the 10th game for a two sets to one lead.

That seemed to take the life out of Safin, who went down meekly in a 24-minute fourth set.

"The rain was going on and off and I couldn't get into the game. I missed a few points in the tiebreak," he said.

"The third set was very close and the fourth set I lost it completely. It just slipped away and that's it," said the fiery Russian, who in moments of frustration slammed his racket to the ground and smashed balls against the back curtain.

"Too much frustration in the second and third set."

Safin failed to successfully follow up his spirited run at Wimbledon, where he reached the semi-finals before falling to Roger Federer.

"One good result throughout the year, I don't think you're hoping for something bigger," Safin said about not carrying any expectations into Flushing Meadows.

The demoralised Russian said he would not stick around in New York to cheer for his sister Dinara Safina, who could claim the world number one ranking with an Open triumph.

"No I'm going home. I've had enough already," said Safin.

"I've been here for too long. I need to go home."

Marat Safin in US Open 2008

Marat Safin in US open 2008

Marat won over vince Spedea in the first round in a 5 set match. 3.6 6.2 6.3 4.6 6.4

Marat is scheduled to play Tommy Robredo in the second round.

US Open Schedule link

Hot! Hot! Hot! Tennis season 2008 featuring Marat

The first Russian to reach Wimbledon semifinals in the history of the game for the last 4 decades is Marat Safin.

The 28 year old Marat has peaked on top of his career to reach the semifinal in Wimbledon for the first time.

On Wednesday Safin .........read more

http://www.newsflavor.com/Entertainment/Hot-Hot-Hot-Tennis-Season-Featuring-Marat-Safin.156429

Marat Safin Wimbledon 2008

Mart Safin the Russian tennis player has outplayed the number three seeded Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon grand slam 2008 on Wednesday the 25th.

It was a remarkable match to be played that boomed a lot of surprises for both players.

This match was anticipated by many as it rejoined the former number one player and most charismatic Marat Safin and the current number three Novak Djokovic the Serbian.

The Russian straight sets win over the ........ read more

http://www.newsflavor.com/Entertainment/Safin-Shines-Djokovic-Fades-Away.152251