| ..:: ARTICLES ::.. |  Safin regained his composure |
04.13.2004
Russia's Marat Safin came from a set down to beat Frenchman Cyril Saulnier and progress to the second round of the Estoril Open.Safin kick-started his clay court season ahead of next month's French Open with a 5-7 6-2 6-2 victory. Safin dropped serve twice in the opening set but recovered to square the match and break
Saulnier, ranked 85 in the world, twice in the decider. He will play another Frenchman, Thierry Ascione, in the next round. Safin, currently number 32 in the world as he rebuilds his ranking following six months of inactivity in 2003, started the year by reaching the Australian Open final. The 24-year-old Russian, seeded eighth in Estoril, was reasonably happy as he began his clay-court preparation for Roland Garros. "I want to build my confidence and play as many matches as possible," he said. "I need to spend time getting used to the balls, to the court. If I play good tennis, I can be dangerous."
Safin keeps his word with win over Frenchman
ESTORIL, Portugal (AFP) -
Russia's Marat Safin collected his 14th win from 16 meetings against French opponents, rallying to stop Cyril Saulnier 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 for a place in the second round of the 748,850-euro Estoril Open.
Safin lived up to his word as he overcame a difficult opponent after saying he hoped to tune up on clay against a one-two from France.
He next plays Thierry Ascione, a Monday French winner at the Estadio Nacional.
Safin shot off to a fast start, only to find himself reigned in by his 28-year-old opponent, ranked 85th in the world.
After Safin struck for a 2-1 lead in the opening set under sunny spring skies, the Russian immediately dropped serve as the set settled into a familiar clay backcourt rhythm.
Safin dropped the opener on another break, but kept his composure to lift the second and square the match, putting Saulnier under pressure with two set points and converting on the first.
In the third, the seed broke twice to earn the win in just under two hours.
Safin, a quarter-finalist in 2002, improved his record to 9-6 after starting 2004 with an Australian Open (news - web sites) final against Roger Federer.
The 24-year-old Russian, standing 32nd in the world as he rebuilds his ranking following six months of inactivity in 2003 due to a left wrist injury, is playing here for the third time.
The former world number one and 2000 US Open holder beat Saulnier in their only other meeting, 2002 in St. Petersburg.
The Russian eighth seed said that working his way onto the clay is his main goal for the week. "I want to build my confidence and play as many matches as possible.
"I need to spend time getting used to the balls, to the court. if I play good tennis, I can be dangerous."
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