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10/14/09 3:53 PM | Cheryl Murray
Marat Safin took his final bow for the Chinese fans in Shanghai with a three-set loss to Tomas Berdych; but not without controversy.
Russia’s Marat Safin is not happy with second-round opponent Tomas Berdych at the moment, a fact that he made very clear in his presser on Wednesday. Safin went off on the Czech for taking an injury timeout after he lost the first set. Berdych received treatment for a patella injury.
Safin was dominant in the opening set. Berdych was not moving well at all, and with Safin blasting away from both wings, the Czech was completely outplayed. Safin struck six aces and fought off the only break-point chance against him. When the set came to a close, Berdych appeared close to retirement.
The Russian had plenty of opportunities to take the lead in the second set. Safin got seven looks on Berdych’s serve, but failed to convert on each. Berdych slowly worked himself back into the match and he finally snagged a service break to level the match.
Berdych came out of the gates quickly in the third set. The Czech raced out to a 4-1 lead before faltering. Safin reeled off three games in a row to level the set at 4-4, but the Russian could not hold onto the momentum. Berdych responded with a service hold and then he broke Safin for the win.
An indignant Safin refused to shake Berdych’s hand after the match. Later in his presser, Safin said, "Don't pretend that you are injured and then you start running around and start to hit winners and then all of a sudden you pull the hands up in the air after winning the match?...So then of course the guy will say, 'No, I've been injured but then I felt a little bit better.'
"Of course he will find 10,000 excuses. Still, it's not enough. You're playing or you're not playing."
Safin will now head to Moscow as his career winds to a close.
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lol. i said the same thing after reading that.
mriiidula , 10/14/09 4:27 PM
He didn't want another over-the-top embarrassing good-bye ceremony, so left quickly? ;)
jessica4stein , 10/14/09 5:20 PM
Safin had probably never played before in Shanghai. That's why.
RickyDimon , 10/14/09 7:28 PM
Hahahaha. Its always hilarious to see what Safin comes up .
Honestly i didnt watch the match but from your article its sounds like the guy was injurd and then he worked his way into the match and as we all knw its amazing what using the momentum can do.
But if i was Safin( as experienced ,as talent, and beaten this guy H2H), i would do anything to maintain my focus bcz ,it seems to me he got distracted by wat was going on surround him.
Believe , 10/15/09 2:28 AM
wow, just read this in an article:
...
Retiring Marat Safin lost for his last time in China, going down to Czech Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Safin said Berdych faked an injury during the contest.
'If you're losing, just be a man and lose as a man. Don't pretend that you are injured and then you start running around and start to hit winners.
'I mean, what kind of sportsman are you? What kind of man are you?' said the 29-year-old Russian who will retire next month in Paris.
...
man, thats harsh
mriiidula , 10/15/09 3:36 AM
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huh?
stu , 10/14/09 4:04 PM