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11/11/09 4:54 PM | Ricky Dimon
Marat Safin put up an impressive fight against world No. 5 Juan Martin Del Potro in the Russian's final match of his ATP career. Del Potro advances in three tough sets to reach the third round of the Paris Masters.
Former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin saw his career come to an end on Wednesday afternoon. But not before one of the game's most memorable entertainers put on one last good show for the fans.
Safin fell to Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters. Del Potro, the reigning U.S. Open champion, needed one hour and 55 to get past Safin and secure his first match victory since toppling Roger Federer in five sets for the biggest win of his brief career.
Safin's career, meanwhile, seemed like it would wrap up in uninspiring fashion as Del Potro rolled through the first set without much trouble. Three errors from Safin at 3-3 gifted the first break of the match to his opponent and that was enough to decide the opening frame of play. Del Potro took care of his next two service games without any trouble, serving out the set at 5-4.
To the delight of the French crowd, however, Safin was not about to go away quietly and conclude his ATP career without a fight. Neither man earned a break point throughout the first 10 games of the second, but the 29-year-old Russian saved a crucial break point at 5-5 before holding. Following the escape, Safin put the pressure on Del Potro with an impressive return game as the world No. 5 served to stay in the set. Safin seized a 0-40 advantage and capitalized on his second break-point opportunity to force a decisive third set.
In the end, Safin could not sustain his momentum. The world No. 65 netted a forehand on break point at 1-1 and just like in the first set, Safin struggled mightily to get the break back. Del Potro did not lose a single point in his first three service games of the final set and he lost a total of only two in his last five service games. Safin saved one match point while serving at 3-5, 30-40 with a blistering forehand winner, and although the fans loved it, it only gave Del Potro a chance to serve for the match at 5-4. The 21-year-old Argentine had no problem, wrapping up the proceedings--and Safin's career--with two consecutive aces.
A fine swansong included 15 aces and just one double-fault for Safin. Del Potro, meanwhile, blasted 11 aces and double-faulted once on his way to a meeting with either John Isner or No. 10 seed Fernando Gonzalez.
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Yes. Maybe not the blaze of glory but enough.
And all congrats to Delpo's atitude after match. That was realy sporty.
I will miss temperament of wild russian. Good luck Marat!
zare , 11/12/09 12:32 AM
good way to go out
losing to Ascione would have been disastrous
RickyDimon , 11/12/09 12:36 AM
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This was a good match ... Safin went out with dignity.
smr , 11/11/09 11:32 PM