Safin stuns in-form Davydenko

Eurosport - Wed, 21 Oct 16:14:00 2009

Marat Safin, just a few weeks short of retirement, knocked out top seed Nikolay Davydenko 4-6 6-4 6-2 in a high-profile first-round tie between the two Russians at the Kremlin Cup.

TENNIS ATP Moscow Kremlin Cup Marat Safin returns to fellow Russian Nikolay Davydenko in his first-round win - 0

In-form Davydenko, who won last week's Shanghai Masters to climb to number six in the world, looked fatigued and jet-lagged following his long flight from China and bowed out to his friend and Davis Cup team mate after one hour 55 minutes.

Former world number one Safin, cheered on by a lively Moscow crowd, made sure his final appearance at his home tournament would last at least another day and played some inspired tennis to dismantle Davydenko in the deciding set.

"At this stage any match could be my last," said Safin (pictured).

"Actually I was a bit nervous facing Nikolay because he's been in such a great form lately but I served and returned well and capitalised on his mistakes."

Davydenko stayed in the running for a place in next month's World Tour finale in London despite the defeat.

"I only played this tournament because it's in Moscow, otherwise I would give it a miss because I've already won two similar tournaments this season and even if I won here also, it would not have given me any (ranking) points," he said.

"Now I have a few days to rest and prepare for Paris (Masters)."

Last year's surprise men's champion Igor Kunitsyn was knocked out, losing to fellow Russian Evgeny Korolev 7-6 6-3.

Uruguay's fifth seed Pablo Cuevas became the first player to reach the quarter-finals when he prevailed over burly Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili 3-6 6-1 6-4.

Third seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia joined Cuevas in the last eight after thrashing Italian Potito Starace 6-1 6-1.

But France's seventh seed Fabrice Santoro was upset by Ukrainian qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-5 6-1.

WTA Moscow LIVE at 10am on Thursday 22 October on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Reuters

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. LOLZ Simon Reed what were saying about Davydenko again?

    From Boris, on Thu 22 Oct 9:52PM

  2. Safin simply had a good day and D. was burnt out after­ having won Shanghai. Other than that Safin is at the­ end of the road like Haas and should seriously think­ about retirement or play once in a while to keep up the­ present form.
    Friedrich Welke, Florianopolis, Brazil

    From Friedrich, on Thu 22 Oct 6:19PM

  3. scourge is right safin no longers has the passion for­ the game and suffers a lot with his lack of­ consistency, its time to hang up the racket and move­ on. he will always be remembered in the same breath as­ the greats, iconic he was and a legend he will remain.

    From ralph, on Thu 22 Oct 9:24AM

  4. it would be wicked if he could win this tourni one­ last victory ceremony for one of the most enigmatic­ players to ever hit the court, the real dude of­ coolness mr marat safin. hope and know he will do well­ whatever he takes on next. vamos

    From ralph, on Thu 22 Oct 9:20AM

  5. i will miss marat. i wish he will have second thoughts­ about retirment

    From Helen A, on Thu 22 Oct 6:50AM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    DAVYDENKO LET SAFIN WIN SO HE COULD HAVE SOME REST DAYS­ AND TO NOT BRAKE SAFIN'S HEART!!

    From Vítor, on Thu 22 Oct 3:08AM

  7. Safin is an absolute legend! I am very sad to see him­ go....

    From Victor, on Wed 21 Oct 10:18PM

  8. Safin is a cool guy

    From Roger, on Wed 21 Oct 9:17PM

  9. No safin is not capable of any better than­ this...
    talent alone is nothing, you have to enjoy the­ game and work to maintain or raise your level...clearly­ safin is not enjoying the game...he is not enjoying the­ game because he is losing constantly, thus, losing more­ interest...creating a cycle....
    Safin not retiring­ would just be a torture both to him and his fans, who­ would watch another season empty of wins!!

    its a pitty­ though...

    From scourge_werepire, on Wed 21 Oct 8:47PM

  10. I think Davydenko will be happy for Safin not to have a­ change of heart!

    From Nicholas, on Wed 21 Oct 8:26PM

  11. PLEEEEEASE don't retire Safin you deserve and are­ capable of better for your last year on the circuit, if­ Safin chooses to win it WILL be so. This is form we­ wanted all year and it is here now lets hope there is a­ change of heart.

    From Boris, on Wed 21 Oct 8:17PM
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