Safin vs Del Potro R2 Highlights BNP Paribas Paris Masters 2009

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina (5), defeated Marat Safin of Russia (WC) in a one hour and 16 minute 3 setter match, 6-4 7-5 6-4, at the second round of the BNP Paribas Paris Masters, giving him the final match of his 12-year tennis career. Safin is a three-time champion here in Paris.

Marat won 15 ATP-level titles since his 1997 professional debut, two of them Grand Slams. Since his 2005 Australian Open title, Safin has never won any titles prior his retirement, only coming close once to winning his hometown tournament, the Kremlin Cup in 2008, but was outlasted by fellow Russian Igor Kunitsyn.

2009 was a difficult year for Marat, often losing in the first or second round to qualifiers or top 50 players. Safin reached his lone semifinal at the Saint Petersburg Open before losing to eventual champion, qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky.

ATP Ranking as of retirement: 61.

ATP Career Titles: 15 (2000 USO; 2005 AO; 2000, 2002, 2004 Paris; 2000-2001 Saint Petersburg; 2000-2001 Uzbekistan; 2000 Barcelona, Majorca, Toronto; 2004 Beijing, Madrid.)

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[athull08]

Don't forget this was also Fabrice Santoro's last tournament.

[lanvie]

@athull08 Actually, Santoro unretired for one more tournament - a record he's done, playing for 40 years in GS's, I think. He played this year's AO (WC, his 70th GS), only to lose at the first round. He might be playing the French too, who knows...

[athull08]

@lanvie

Oh yeah, you're right. But it couldn't be 40 years, considering he's only 37! It was to have played in Grand Slams in 4 different decades (80s, 90, 00, 10s). And also, to have played in 70 Grand slams. I'm sure he really is retired now.

[lanvie]

Oops, my bad. Maybe that bit was 20?

I sorely miss the guy...as much as I miss Marat...

[MaratSafinVideos]

Although Marat has never been the same since he got injured in 2005, his presence and personality will be sorely missed, big style.

[RoyalGrigsby]

1:50 would have been the perfect time to break one last racket.

[sarasmilepiano]

@FlameJohn Yes, at face value, they seem alike but if you take a closer look at their games you will see the difference- mainly that Marat hits a heavier ball (ie-more topspin) and is more of an all-court player. Both have great serves and can dictate from the backcourt.

[sarasmilepiano]

@MaratSafinVideos Great point. For one thing, Marat is physically built different from JM- he has a thicker frame- so how they move around and hit the ball is going to vary. As well, Marat is a more polished player and moves more fluidly around the court- case in point: he comes to net with ease and seems comfortable there. DelPo, on the other hand, is a more like a back-court scrambler- nothing wrong with that- who likes to outhustle his opponent.

[solied3]

Safin Best two handed backhand ever

[ManiPulatoR84]

They could have chosen a better song for after the match... Safin was getting somewhat emotional and the music was just... awkward -_-

[sebanime02]

great MARAT¡¡¡

[WindsweptHQ]

@blessedjp1 i couldnt have said it better

[TSASIS12]

kn

[blessedjp1]

I miss Safin. His very high tennis IQ technique, his great backhand and his 'very emotional' love for the game.Even his 'sporstmanship' is worth considering; he may be hot-headed at times but after every game he shows respect! Can you not consider making a comeback!Tennis misses you!

[guemi72]

@Jaishankar100

Yeah was wondering too.

[chibi33097]

@FlameJohn

dude no one can replace safin