RoastedLinuxSafin choking once again
October 27th 2008 19:54
Marat Safin, a former top-ranked player and a two time Grand Slam champion, wants a long break after his 6-0, 7-6 (4) first round loss against Argentine Juan Monaco at the Paris Masters.
Judging by his most recent performance, he should take it and possibly never look back.
Safin managed only 12 points in the first set and trailed 2-0 in the second after just 24 minutes. In the first service game of the second set, Safin had four double faults before breaking back to 2-2.
At times, it seemed the fiery Russian was bereft of all inspiration and timing such was his defeat against an opponent, who himself has hardly cast the world on fire.
Indeed this has been the story of Safin's brilliant, albeit, tumultuous career in men's Tennis.
It seems Safin's inability to produce his best form on a consistent basis will keep him from casting his massive potential which alone has yielded two Grand Slam titles.
Safin won the U.S. Open in 2000 and the Australian Open in 2005 but since hasn’t been able to muster a tour title since the victory down under against Lleyton Hewitt.
There have been times this season where Safin was dominant. The fiery Russian seems to love coming out of oblivion to produce the form that made him one of the youngest world no.1's ever.
Safin did it in Wimbledon this year where he knocked out title fancy Novak Djokovic in the third round. He eventually made it to the semi-finals of the most prestigious Grand Slam on the planet.
But once again Safin could not contain the momentum.
Since that inspirational effort, the Russian' career has once again been cast into uncertainty after another lacklustre display at the Paris Masters.
No doubt Safin will take his break, but do not expect retirement soon.
Watch for the three time Paris champion to make a comeback at the Australian Open at the beginning of next year.
Whenever Safin has had doubts in his career, it seems playing down under has always been the tonic for the man to produce his best tennis.
In 2004, no one expected him to achieve anything such was his form, but he cast aside American hotshots Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi to make it to the final against none other than eventual champion Roger Federer.
Safin produced again in 2005 after a relatively quiet tour, eventually going one better at the Aus Open to claim his second grand slam crown, downing Australian no.1 Lleyton Hewitt.
Although his lack of form now looks more serious than ever before, Safin has come back from many comas in his career thanks to his performances at the Australian Open.
But one thinks if he fails to cast away the cobwebs in next years first grand slam tournament, it indeed could be curtains for one of the most enigmatic players ever to lay foot in men's tennis.
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