Safin fails to emulate last year's semis appearance at his Wimbledon farewell; loses in Round One
Safin fails to emulate last year's semis appearance at his Wimbledon farewell; loses in Round OneMarat Safin suffered an early Wimbledon farewell yesterday as the former World No 1 slumped to a shock 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 first-round defeat against American qualifier Jesse Levine.
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Marat Safin stretches to return to Jesse Levine during their first round match at Wimbledon yesterday. pics/AFP |
Safin, the 14th seed, was playing his final Wimbledon before retiring at the end of the year, but his hopes of emulating last year's run to the semi-finals were shattered by a player ranked 109 places below in the ATP standings.
"It is not the perfect way to finish the Wimbledon story but that's life. It was not really my day. This is the situation and I have to deal with it," Safin said.
"This is my last year, my last trips to these places and I enjoy it. I'm relieved. I'm definitely looking forward to a huge vacation. I need to cool down, there has been a lot of emotions and stress."
Roddick sails
Meanwhile, two-time runner-up Andy Roddick was also a winner, seeing off France's Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro, a semi-finalist at Roland Garros, brushed aside France's Arnaud Clement 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
He will next face 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt, who defeated Robby Ginepri 6-4, 6-1, 6-1.
