| ..:: ARTICLES ::.. | Chela beats Safin in Estoril Open final
April 18, 2004 (Reuters)
Safin, the eighth seed, took a nervy first set 7-2 on the tie-break but he made far too many mistakes over the remainder of the match and Chela capitalised to win in two hours 26 minutes and claim the third clay-court title of his career.
"I knew it would be a long match," said Chela. "I was prepared for it and I was fortunate to win. This is an important victory for me."
Safin's success in the first set was a reward for the patient way he worked the ball around from the back of the court.
The Russian broke early in the tie-break and Chela, after falling 6-2 behind, lost the set with a double fault.
But Safin's consistency deserted him in the second set and a series of errors, particularly on the forehand, allowed Chela to take a 4-2 lead.
"Maybe I went for it too much," said Safin. "I started to make mistakes and I became frustrated as he became more solid."
After the break of serve, Safin received a penalty point for playing up to his reputation and breaking a racket.
That decision unsettled the Russian for the next few games and Chela took advantage to clinch the set with another break and move into a 3-0 lead in the third.
"I think the penalty was really unfair," said Safin. "The umpires all know me and they don't have to be so strict. I lost the game and I threw the racket down but what was I going to do? It wasn't enough for a penalty."
Safin hit back for 2-3 only to lose his serve once again in the next game and this time there was no way back for the big Russian.
Safin saved three matchpoints, the first of them when he managed to scoop a drop shot on to the net and over, but Chela took the fourth when a backhand from the Russian went long.
"This kind of match can upset you but I have to positive," said Safin. "I'm really playing well and I think I'm on a good roll."
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