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."