Is Safin back, and other thoughts on Day 3

I've always believed that among contemporary players, Safin is probably the closest to Roger Federer in playing style, shot-making prowess, aggressive go-getting, and strategy on-court. That is why it's always a treat to watch the two of them play (unfortunately it hasn't happened much). And of course there is nothing better than a contrast in personalities in sport, which Fed and Safin amply provide.

Safin went on his downward spiral just when Federer was reaching stardom. Then Marat came out of hiding to beat Roger at the Australian Open 2005, and then went back into hibernation.

Until now. Unless this is another of his transient surfacings.

But let's give him the benefit of doubt. Maybe all his injuries have finally subsided enough for him to focus on the fuzzy green ball. Or maybe baby sister Dinara inspired him with her French Open showing.

Whatever the reason, Safin took out the number three seed (and second in line to beat Federer according to the oddsmakers) in convincing fashion - 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, leaving the the All England Club in some shock. After all, the 21-year old Serbian who beat the world number one at the start of the season and hence prompted the Federer naysayers to write his premature departure, had just egged them on with the following comment just a few days ago:


"Some things are changing. I think he's a little bit shaken with that loss and mentally he has been struggling in the last couple of months. It's normal to have ups and downs after four years of absolute dominance on the men's tour."

Safin was gracious in his most talked about victory since toppling Federer in Melbourne in 2005, "I haven't had a win like this for a long time. I had to play really well and concentrate and be with him game by game and just go for it. But he was under pressure. He's fighting for the number one spot by the end of the year while nothing was expected of me.”

In other news (or non-news), Roger Federer continues on in his quest for a 6th straight Wimbledon crown. I like the way he just gets that one break needed in each set (though Soderling did take him to a tiebreak in the 3rd) during the early stages in most championships (and that includes Rolland Garros) like it’s nobody’s business.

The Ivanovic-Dechy match was probably one of the finest, and merely adds to the grit and determination that Ivanovic is able to display time after time. This is not the first time she has come back from almost losing – she had to save two match points in the 2nd set (one was actually saved by the net cord) and went 10-8 in the 3rd.

Ana, gracious sportswoman that she is, had no trouble admitting that luck played a role:

"I think I used up a lot of luck today," she grinned. "If in my next match my opponent has a net cord against me, I don't think I'll complain. What goes around comes around."

This simply goes to show that the game probably has very little to do in high-pressure situations in individual sport, while mental toughness is paramount, and Ivanovic has displayed it in a way few of her early 20-something peers have, including her compatriot Jelena Jankovic and 8th ranked Vaidisova. Vaidisova for her part, displayed some determination in seeing off Samantha Stosur.

Gonzalez and Ferrero’s losses were the lesser-known surprises of the day. It was good to see Baghdatis and Hewitt cruising along in straight sets – maybe a few of my look-forward-to match-ups will come true!