Match report

Marat Safin © Tennistalk.com
Wimbledon
Quarter final
7/2/08 1 2 3 4 Tot
ru  Marat Safin 3 7 7 7 6 3
es  Feliciano Lopez 6 5 6 1 3 1
Feliciano Lopez © Tennistalk.com

  • Safin holds nerve to set up classic showdown

    7/3/08 12:13 AM | David Cox
    Just a few years ago Marat Safin was seriously considering never returning to these shores in June after yet another first week exit at Wimbledon. Now his extrordinary resurgence over the past fortnight has culminated in a shot at making the final

    Strange things have happened in Wimbledon history, just think back to 2001 and Goran Ivanisevic. But if Safin did manage to achieve the unthinkable and end Federer's 5 year Wimbledon reign it would be one of the biggest upsets

    Today was one of those horrible Wimbledon afternoons where the rain is always lurking, ready to reappear just as the players have settled into a rhythm. Its a situation in which the old Safin might easily have imploded especially against a very tricky opponent in Lopez who's undone him more than once before.

    The Spaniard appeared in full control of the match for large parts of the first 3 sets and completely dominated in set 1. While Safin looked nervous, Lopez returned and served smoothly, earning 4 break points in the Russian's opening service game and he soon held a 3-1 lead. Safin made his feelings clear striking a ball onto the court 1 roof and earning him a ball abuse warning but it made little difference and Lopez was leading 5-2 when the rain first came.

    This fortnight's Safin has been a much more focused version than in other major tournaments. There've been smashed rackets here and there and the customary line judge altercations but he's remained focused on the job in hand. His ability to regroup has impressed in previous matches against Seppi and Wawrinka and he used the rain delay well

    When they finally retured to court after 2 and a half hours, Lopez wrapped up the first set but the Safin resurgence was beginning. More serves started finding their mark and some athletic retrieving earned him the break to go 4-2 up in set 2. Safin carelessly handed it straight back but Lopez's nerve wavered again soon afterwards at 5-6. A netted forehand gave Safin two set points and despite having been outplayed for much of the match the Muscovite made it 1 set all

    After his marathon on Monday you felt it was critical for Lopez to take the 3rd set if he was going to win particularly having been the better player in the first two. It proved to be the turning point with both men finding their best tennis. Their were some rallies, the length of which you rarely see outside the clay season, 1 memorable point lasting 38 strokes at 3-3. Lopez had the better chances and Safin was required to use all of his 6ft4in frame on the run to save multiple break points. The Russian found some timely inspiration in the tiebreak getting a flying start with an outrageous backhand volley facing away from the net. More spectacular pick-ups saw him take the breaker 7-1

    The match was never really in doubt from then on. Perhaps stunned at how he'd ended up 2 sets to 1 down, Lopez conceded the early break in the 4th with a careless forehand. It didn't last too much longer and a double fault from the Spaniard put Safin into his first slam semi-final for over 3 years

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Comments

I only saw the part before the rain delay and I didn't think Safin had a chance. The trick is to doubt him and he will win.

I hope the match between him and Federer will be as good as Aus Open 05.

BernieEliza , 7/3/08 4:05 AM


The problem is that this is 2008 not 2005. Since that match Safin has fallen apart and is only just regrouping whereas Roger has spent another three years at No.1 and is back on top form after the blip following his illness.

ed251137 , 7/4/08 8:37 AM



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