| ..:: ARTICLES ::.. | Safin blows hot and cold to beat Robredo
AFP
04.16.2004
Resurgent Russian Marat Safin overcame treacherous blustery conditions to reach the semi-finals of the Estoril Open with a 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) win over Spain's Tommy Robredo.
Former world number one Safin, seeded eighth, remains the last big-name player standing at the Estadio Nacional after taking victory in two hours, 27 minutes to oust the Spanish fourth seed.
The Russian, out for half of last season with a wrist problem, began his year with an Australian Open (news - web sites) runners-up spot losing to Roger Federer and has now confirmed his form on clay.
Safin said that blowy conditions were treacherous.
"It was good to win, neither of us could play our best tennis. We both went a bit crazy, but we each wanted to win," said the Russian.
"It was a fight until the end, it came down to a third-set tie-breaker. It was a good match for both of us, but obviously better for me - no one wanted to lose."
Safin now faces one of his best friends on the ATP Tour, Georgian Irakli Labadze, who earned a walkover at the expense of Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal who was unable to take to the court after a left ankle injury suffered earlier in the week was diagnosed as a likely hairline fracture.
Labadze will be playing in his second semi-final of the season after reaching the last four at the Indian Wells Masters.
Safin joked that he would seeking revenge from eight years ago, when he lost to his 22-year-old rival in the semi-finals of the European under-16 Championships.
"He's my good friend, we've known each other since we were nine years old. It will be nice to play him and try to take my revenge."
Labadze, known as an amateur chess wizard with a thinking man's take on tennis, is likely to count on strategy as much as brawn when he faces Safin, currently ranked 32nd as he returns to top form.
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