Safin wins but Russia fall
PERTH: A fully-fit Marat Safin conquered a personal jinx and underlined his return to the game yesterday, whipping Fabrice Santoro 6-3, 6-3 in the Hopman Cup.
His victory, a first in nine months for the injury-plagued Russian, was not enough to steer his nation to victory over France in the ITF team competition, but suggested he is in superb shape two weeks before the start of the Australian Open.
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PRETTY STONE:Belgium's Kim Clijsters shows her diamond engagement ring to the Australian public during an interview at the Hopman Cup in Perth yesterday. Clijsters and Australian tennis player Lleyton Hewitt announced their engagement before Christmas and will marry this year.–APpic |
Having missed most of last year with a wrist injury, not too much was expected of the former world number one in his first match of 2004.
But he proved beyond any doubt that he is back to near his powerful best by smashing his bogeyman in 76 minutes. Safin was clearly delighted with his performance.
“I have been resting for six months so it is time to play some tennis again – I want to be back.
“My ranking has dropped to 77 so it is a difficult time for me. But I will be trying my best to get back into the top 10,” the former US Open champion added.
His partner Anastasia Myskina was not so fortunate as she fell to Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 7-6. The French pair then teamed up to win the decisive mixed doubles 6-3, 6-4.
Earlier, Kim Clijsters clattered a bewildered Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 6-2 to steer Belgium towards victory over Slovakia.
Xavier Malisse finished the job with a hot-and-cold 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 win over Karol Kucera before the Belgian pair teamed up to win the doubles 6-2, 6-4 for a clean sweep.
World No 2 Clijsters barely put a foot wrong in her first match of 2004, dropping just four points in the first four games as she lashed winner after winner past the lunging Slovak.
“That felt really good, I didn’t think I would start the year like this,” the Belgian smiled. “I have been good in practice, but not like that.”
Runner-up at the French and US Opens last year, losing on both occasions to compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne, Clijsters has her focus firmly fixed on a maiden grand slam title this year. The Australian Open starts in Melbourne on Jan 19. – Reuters
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