June 26, 2008

MERCURIAL Russian Marat Safin rolled back the years in sensational style when he sent No.3 seed Novak Djokovic crashing out of Wimbledon.

Safin, a former world No.1 and Australian and US Open champion, triumphed 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 in the second round to record one of the best wins of his colourful, rollercoaster career.

The Russian, who has been in freefall since his last title in Australia in 2005 and has seen his ranking slump to 75, will now face Italian Andreas Seppi, the No.29 seed, for a place in the last 16.

It was a shattering defeat for 21-year-old Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open champion, who was a semi-finalist in 2007 and who was being widely tipped as a potential winner should Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal falter.

"This win came at the right time for me. I've been lacking confidence but to beat Djokovic on centre court is a great win,'' said Safin who has endured a miserable 2008, only twice winning back-to-back matches before Wimbledon.

"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 No.1 spot by the end of the year while nothing was expected of me.

"I didn't look at the draw after Djokovic but the way I'm playing I think I can go far.''

Safin had defeated Djokovic, for the loss of just three games, in the first round of the Australian Open in 2005, and the Serbian admitted that he had paid the Russian too much respect.

"It was a very bad day for me. I didn't do anything I was supposed to do. I made too many mistakes and had no momentum,'' said the 21-year-old, who was runner-up to Nadal at Queen's two weeks ago.

"I didn't expect to lose in straight sets. But he's a tough opponent especially on centre court. He's a big talent but unpredictable.

"He's a great player. He was one of my idols when I was a junior. I have a lot of respect for him and maybe that played a role today.''

Safin broke to lead 3-2 in the first set when Djokovic served up a fourth double fault but handed the advantage immediately back to the Serbian.

In recent years, that would usually have signalled a collapse but buoyed by being back on centre court and back in the big time, Safin broke again in the seventh game to lead 4-3.

His pinpoint first service, which had Djokovic constantly in trouble, carried him to the first set.

Djokovic, with his game stuttering in the difficult windy conditions, fought off break points in the third game before Safin ran away with the tiebreaker when the world No.3 patted back an unreturnable serve.

The 28-year-old Russian was in complete control and was ahead 3-0 in the third set after breaking Djokovic in the second game.

Djokovic saved three match points in the eighth game but then served up a lazy ninth double fault to hand Safin a famous victory after just two hours on court.