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Safin's stroll in the park |
Jun
23 2002
By David Randles, icLiverpool
courtesy icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk
Marat Safin fulfilled his potential as favourite to beat Jan-Michael
Gambill in the final of the inaugural Liverpool International
Tennis Tournament.
The towering Russian (right) continued the form he had shown
all week to beat his American counterpart 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 in Calderstones
Park on Saturday.
Despite both of the first two sets going to tie-breaks without
one dropped service, Safin always looked in control in what
was a fine display of tennis by both players.
And it was Safin who stole the only break of the match in the
seventh game of the third and final set from which he went on
to win the tie.
Safin found the exhibition showpiece event an ideal pre-cursor
to Wimbledon where he faces 1997 runner-up, Cedric Pioline in
the first round: "This tournament has given me more experience
to know how to play on grass," he said.
"Everybody can play on grass nowadays and of course everyone
will be motivated for Wimbledon next week."
But despite a quarter-final place last year and being ranked
as No2 behind Australia's Lleyton Hewitt to take the Mens Singles
Title at the All England Club in the next fortnight, Safin played
down his chances of success: "I would not have a bet on
myself," he said.
"I do know how to play on grass but it is not my favourite."
A US Open Champion just two years ago, Safin was called into
the pioneering Liverpool tournament following the late withdrawal
of last year's Wimbledon Champion, Goran Ivanisevic through
injury.
After thanking the people of Merseyside for their support throughout
the week, the amiable Russian said: "I've enjoyed my stay
in Liverpool. The people are very friendly and it's been very
relaxed.
"Of course I've had the chance to take in the city of the
Beatles and its fantastic nightlife.
"I will certainly recommend to other players to come here
in the future and hopefully every year will get better and better."
At times throughout the tie, Safin was undone by the bounce
of the ball, after 35 matches in one week had taken its toll
on the main court. But when asked about the conditions, the
Champion was again complimentary: "The ground staff have
worked hard at short notice to prepare the playing surface and
with experience things will only improve each year."
Defeated finalist, Gambill echoed Safin's sentiments about the
success of the tournament and also thanked local people for
their support: "I would like to thank everyone who has
turned up to support this event," he said.
"There aren't many warm-up tournaments like this anymore
and the fact that Liverpool will be hosting this event each
year is a big plus for the sport and very important to us players.
The event, which ran from 16-22 June, has been hailed as a success
despite relatively low attendance figures.
In a week which saw England's World Cup quarter-final clash
with Brazil, plus the Liverpool River Festival, the competition
was up against stiff opposition, but organisers plan to make
it an annual fixture on the pre-Wimbledon calendar.
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