| ..:: ARTICLES ::.. | Hewitt and Safin struggle through in Monte Carlo
April 20, 2004
(Reuters)
Safin, back after missing most of last year through injury, overcame a dogged challenge from Olivier Rochus, eventually swatting the pint-sized Belgian 4-6 6-3 6-3.
Standing 1.93 metres tall, Safin towers 28 centimetres above Rochus although the pair were evenly matched for much of the centre court contest.
"He's a small guy. I really don't like to play against him... I hate playing against the small guys," Safin smiled.
"You know, he fights so well and never gives up. He's a big fighter, anything could have happened.
"So it is a relief to get through... I'm feeling good."
Safin, like Hewitt a former U.S. Open champion and world number one, was runner-up at the Australian Open in February and is starting to look the force he was before injuries took hold.
The 24-year-old next faces Belarussian Max Mirnyi in the principality.
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