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7/1/08 1:30 AM | David Cox
Safin has simply come alive in this tournament. He reached only his second quarter-final this year and first in a slam since the 2005 Aussie Open, defeating the dangerous Stanislas Wawrinka in an exciting evening match; 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
Safin could have been forgiven for feeling slightly forgotten at times this evening, his excellent win against another world class opponent overshadowed by the high drama unfolding on centre court
However he delighted a packed no 1 court with quality shot-making and Wawrinka's frustration was visible. Bidding to create history as the first time two Swiss men had made a slam quarter-final, he found that this Safin was a totally different beast to the one who rolled over so meekly in Rome and last year's US Open and struggled to gain a real foothold in the match.
Safin rolled through the opening 2 games and looked set to go a double break up in the first but Wawrinka found some timely serves and eventually levelled at 3-3 as Safin pushed a backhand volley long. For most of the match the Russian's legendary temper was under wraps but it would not be a true Safin match without a little bit of racket trashing and swearing in foreign tongues. As a result he began targeting the lines with increased vigour and broke again with a stunning forehand to take him 5-3 up.
He served out the set and immediately began ramping up the pressure in the 2nd. Wawrinka survived several break points but a double fault eventually gifted Safin a 3-2 lead. The Russian was not in the mood to be generous and it was soon 2 sets to love.
Wawrinka was not going to give up his chance lightly and after a comfort break he emerged rejuvenated. For a while he finally had Safin on the ropes, his all-court tennis earning him a 4-2 second set lead. He failed to serve it out at 5-4 but uncharacteristically Safin handed him a chance of redemption in the next game which was gratefully accepted.
Safin looked suitably disgusted and for a few points looked in trouble in the early stages of set 4. However Wawrinka's concentration and possibly fitness levels were wavering. He handed away the break to slip 3-1 down and their proved to be no way back
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Marat Safin
Stanislas Wawrinka
Wimbledon
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