Safin bids farewell to tennis after US exit

MARAT SAFIN’s famously emotional temperament was kept in check as he reflected on his elimination from his last-ever grand slam tournament at Flushing Meadows yesterday.

The former world number one has announced he will retire at the end of this season but his final US Open outing came to an end at the first hurdle as he lost 1-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 to Austria’s Jurgen Melzer at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

“I need to get away from tennis for some time to realise what I’ll miss,” said Safin.

“Right now, it’s difficult to decide exactly what I’ll miss. It’s the end. Could have been better ending, but still okay.”

Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, made light work of his opening round match easing past Richard Gasquet in straight sets.

The third seed showed no signs of his recent fitness problems as he claimed a 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory to set up a meeting with Nicolas Kiefer of Germany.

Elsewhere, Frenchman Gael Monfils, the 13th seed, looked in fine fettle as he dispatched unseeded compatriot Jeremy Chardy in straight sets, 6-1 6-4 6-3.

In the women’s contest, Venus Williams booked her place in the third round with a battling straight-sets win over fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Williams’ class ultimately told after a tough start, the number three seed hitting 12 winners to Mattek-Sands’ seven and converting two of three break point chances.

Mattek-Sands also forced three break points against the powerful Williams service game but her inability to convert two of those proved costly.

Two further breaks for Williams followed in the second set, the second of those converted with a thumping forehand smash for a 5-2 lead which appeared decisive.

However, Mattek-Sands had enough left in the tank to give Williams a scare as she attempted to serve out for the match, forcing the seven-time grand slam winner to save three break points – the last of those with a brilliant backhand – before sealing victory with a blistering serve that Mattek-Sands could only divert into the stands.

Awaiting Williams in the next round is world number 46 Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, who defeated Chang Kai-Chen in three sets earlier today.