Cheers for the Runner up Marat Safin

Safin, seeded seventh and bidding to claim his first title in almost four years, reached the final without hitting a ball when his semi-final opponent, German Mischa Zverev, withdrew with illness on Saturday.

The big Russian has not tasted success since winning the Australian Open in January 2005.

''I have only myself to blame,'' said Safin, who also lost to compatriot Nikolay Davydenko in the 2006 final in Moscow.

''If I had won the first set, it would have been a different story but he gained confidence as the match went on, played well in the end and deserved his victory.''

Marat Safin became the runner up of the Kremlin cup today!
Congratulations to the Finalist our beloved Marat Safin.

Safin was beaten by Kunitsyn 6 -7, 7-6, 3-6 in kremlin cup Final.

Reaching a final match is a goal achieved for Marat Safin after 3 disappointing years.

Keep it up:)

Hot Russian Girls Pop group "Blestyaschie" celebrating the final

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.

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 and Dinara. One on One

here's a full interview of Marat talking about his sister!

Q. Your sister was in here earlier after her win, and she talked about you actually have talked to her through the years about trying to learn from your...

MARAT SAFIN: My mistakes, yes. (laughter.)

Q. Can you just give us a couple minutes what you think of what she's done professionally so far this year in particular and maybe what her chances are?

MARAT SAFIN: I think if she will do everything opposite of what I've been doing throughout the years she will be No. 1 in the world for a long time. That's as simple as it is.

Q. As a brother, how proud of her are you?

MARAT SAFIN: Always, of course. I mean, she's doing so well, and she's very close to finish the year No. 1. She's playing well. Two tough finals in the French Open and Beijing, so I think the third one is here. She should take her chance.

It's a little too early to speak about it, but I think she deserved it. And the way she was working already this year, and the decision she made at the age of 22 for a girl, I think it's very tough one.

She made them, she's doing very well, and I think she deserved it. I think she's totally ready to win the first Grand Slam, so I think why not? I'm really proud of the way she's handling the pressure and the way she's handling herself.

I think it's ‑‑ and the way she's treating the people around her, I think it's amazing, so I'm really happy for her.

Marat now sees Dinara as a legitimate major-title contender, ranked No. 7.

here are Dinara's words about her brother:

Marat often scolded Dinara about "acting like a baby and the crying and all this. He hated it," she said. "He was always, like, 'Come on; you have to grow up in your mind.'

"When he plays his best, I would take everything he has: his power, fighting spirit. When he plays his worst game, then I don't need anything."

Still, Dinara said he always is there for support. "I better listen to his advice," she said. "I have success now, but he was No. 1 in the world, so I still have to catch up. He can teach me many things in life."